CfP: Global Structure in Semi-Classical Gravity (LMU Munich, July 21-23, 2022, Deadline: March 7, 2022)
Submitted by Erik Curiel (MCMP, LMU Munich).
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The Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy invites abstracts for the following event:
Global Structure in Semi-Classical Gravity
MCMP, LMU Munich
July 21-23, 2022
https://www.mcmp.philosophie.uni-muenchen.de/events/workshops/container/scg2022/index.html
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Semi-classical gravity (SCG)—the coupling of the dynamics of quantum fields to the classical spacetime geometry of general relativity by way of the semi-classical Einstein field equation (SCEFE)—is the framework within which black hole thermodynamics is formulated. As such, it is widely held to provide the most secure theoretical clues to a search for a theory of quantum gravity. Considered in its own right, however, it already presents us with a plethora of foundational and conceptual problems that require investigation, even over and above the most famous one, Hawking’s Information-Loss Paradox. In what sense is it legitimate to think of black holes as thermodynamical systems? What is the causal structure of an evaporating black hole spacetime? What is black hole entropy? How does the Generalized Second Law ramify into the host of other problems of fundamental physical and philosophical import that the ordinary Second Law does, from the arrow of time and the nature of spacetime to issues of probability, causality, predictability and determinism? What is the difference between geometry and matter? Are there singularities in the semi-classical regime, and does a form of cosmic censorship hold in it? Are there physically reasonable full solutions to the SCEFE? What role do classical energy conditions and quantum energy inequalities play, and how do they relate to entropy and information? How does holography relate to and constrain all this?
This will be the first major conference to address foundational issues associated with the SCG, and to try to examine how they all bear on each other. Invited physicists and philosophers have been chosen to represent issues pertaining to SCG treated by different approaches. and philosophy (quantum field theory on curved spacetime, emergent gravity, canonical gravity, holography, epistemology), in an attempt to foster a dialogue among those addressing problems associated with SCG in the different fields. Contributed talks from both physicists and philosophers will be chosen so as to complement the perspectives of the invited speakers. Such a gathering will spur new, innovative approaches to the problem, as well as connecting and invigorating work on existing approaches. It will also provide young researchers with a comprehensive introduction to the state of the art of this central field of research, and established researchers with a comprehensive overview.
Confirmed speakers
Beatrice Bonga <https://hef.ru.nl/~bbonga/>
Craig Callender <https://www.craigcallender.com/>
Ted Jacobson <https://umdphysics.umd.edu/people/faculty/current/item/246-jacobson.html>
Eleni Kontou <https://www.york.ac.uk/maths/staff/eleni-kontou/>
JB Manchak <https://www.lps.uci.edu/~jmanchak/>
Marija Tomasevic <https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Marija-Tomasevic>
Chris Smeenk <https://publish.uwo.ca/~csmeenk2/>
Bob Wald <https://physics.uchicago.edu/people/profile/robert-wald/>
Chris Wüthrich <https://www.wuthrich.net/>
Call for abstracts
We invite the submission of paper abstracts for the conference.
Abstracts should include a title, a brief abstract (up to 200 words), and a full abstract (up to 1000 words), blinded for peer review. They should be PDF files, submitted to the conference’s EasyChair account <https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=gssg22>. The deadline for submission is 07 March 2022. We will select 4 submissions for presentation at the conference. Decisions will be sent to all applicants by 31 March 2022.
We plan to publish the proceedings of the conference as a special issue of a leading journal (e.g., /Universe/).
Dates and Deadines
Deadlines for Submission: 07 March 2022
Date of Notification: 31 March 2022
Registration Deadline: 22 June 2022
Organizers
Erik Curiel
<http://www.mcmp.philosophie.uni-muenchen.de/people/faculty/curiel/index.html>
Juliusz Doboszewski
<https://sites.google.com/site/juliuszdoboszewski/home>
Cecilia Giavoni
<https://www.theorie.physik.uni-muenchen.de/cosmology/members/sci_mem/giavoni/index.html>
