- The Physicist's World

Institution:

The Evergreen State College

Subject:

Description:

Faculty: Tom Grissom (physics), Neal Nelson (mathematics, computer science) Major areas of study include physics, philosophy, philosophy of science, history of science and quantitative reasoning. Class Standing: This all-level program offers appropriate support for freshmen as well as supporting and encouraging those ready for advanced work. The 20th century has brought about a revolution in our understanding of the physical universe. We have been forced to revise the way we think about even such basic concepts as space and time and causality, and about the properties of matter. An important part of this revolution has been the surprising discovery of fundamental ways in which our knowledge of the material world is ultimately limited. These limitations are not the result of surmountable shortcomings in human understanding but are more deeply rooted in the nature of the universe itself. In this program, we will examine the mental world created by the physicist to make sense out of our experience of the material world around us, and to try and understand the nature of physical reality. We will ask and explore answers to the twin questions of epistemology: What can we know How can we know it Starting with the Presocratic philosophers, we will continue through each of the major developments of 20th-century physics, including the theories of relativity, quantum theory, deterministic chaos, and modern cosmology. We will examine the nature and the origins of the limits that each imposes on our ultimate knowledge of the world. No mathematical prerequisites are assumed. Mathematical thinking will be developed within the context of the other ideas as needed for our purposes. The only prerequisites are curiosity about the natural world and a willingness to read and think and write about challenging texts and ideas. We will read primary texts, such as works by the Presocratics, Plato, Lucretius, Galileo, Newton and Einstein, plus selected contemporary writings on physics. In addition to the other texts, a book-length manuscript has been written for this program, and will serve as an extended outline and guide to the works and ideas that we will read and discuss. Fall quarter will concentrate on the period up to the beginning of the 20th century; winter quarter will cover developments during the 20th century. Total: 16 credits each quarter. Enrollment: 48 Program is preparatory for careers and future studies in the sciences and humanities. This program is also listed under Programs for Freshmen and Culture, Text and Language.

Credits:

16.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.evergreen.edu

Phone Number:

(360) 867-6170

Regional Accreditation:

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Calendar System:

Quarter

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