Talk:2020 in philosophy

Latest comment: 4 years ago by Prototyperspective in topic Removal of metaphysics-related events
edit

User:Eissink removed a table-list of two events I recently added with the rationale This clearly concerns physics, so certainly not metaphysics. Speculating on the results of experiments is part of everyday science, not philosophy imo..

Metaphysics currently has the following:

Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that examines the fundamental nature of reality, including the relationship between [...] potentiality and actuality. [...] Topics of metaphysical investigation include existence, objects and their properties, space and time, cause and effect, and possibility.

as well as a section "Space and time" under section "Central questions".

I disagree with that "This clearly concerns physics, so certainly not metaphysics" as a) don't think it is clear and certain b) would say that both items concern both physics and (philosophical) metaphysics.

My rationale to add it is imo supported by the following source which is a reference for one of the items: This Twist on Schrödinger’s Cat Paradox Has Major Implications for Quantum Theory, Scientific American. This source has:

The new work is an “important step forward in the field of experimental metaphysics,” says quantum physicist Aephraim Steinberg of the University of Toronto, who was not involved in the study.

Interpretations of quantum mechanics are a somewhat unique combination of physics and philosophy (a specific, distinguishable type of event in philosophy, which is partly why I added a column for the type). This is imo also supported by e.g. the description for the Many-worlds interpretation:

The many-worlds interpretation implies that there are very many universes, perhaps infinitely many. It is one of many multiverse hypotheses in physics and philosophy.

Could you please reconsider your assessment/conclusion? And can other editors please weigh in?

Thank you.

--Prototyperspective (talk) 16:28, 14 September 2020 (UTC)Reply