Philosophy of Physics at LSE

1. What philosophy of physics options are available to LSE undergrads?
2. Do the courses require any background in Physics? Maths? Finance? Philosophy?
3. Will there be much mathematics?
4. Are there written essays?
5. What is the coursework like?
6. How is the final mark determined?
7. What is the exam like?
8. Are the two courses independent, or do they have to be taken together?
9. Where can I get more information about the content covered in these courses?
10. Is time travel really possible?

1. What philosophy of physics options are available to LSE undergrads?

LSE Philosophy offers two undergraduate philosophy of physics courses. The first is Ph230 Einstein for Everyone: From time travel to the edge of the universe. It is about Einstein's relativity theories and their implications for our understanding of space and time.

The second is Ph232 Physics and the City: From Quantum Jumps to Stock Market Crashes. It is about the physics of particles and the use of such physical ideas in finance.

2. Do the courses require any background in Physics? Maths? Finance? Philosophy?

No. Neither course requires any background in physics, mathematics, finance, or even philosophy, although curiosity and open-mindedness will help.

3. Will there be much mathematics?

No. The course is non-mathematical, and students are not expected to do any numerical calculations. However, the scientific concepts and their philosophical implications are covered honestly and in detail, without metaphor. Instead of solving equations we focus on the underlying concepts and solve conceptual and philosophical problems.

4. Are there written essays?

No. Unlike most philosophy courses, there are no formative or summative essays in the philosophy of physics courses for undergraduates.

5. What is the coursework like?

The coursework involves weekly short-answer questions (similar to problem sets, but non-mathematical). These are reviewed in class discussion sessions. Students are also expected to participate actively in discussion.

6. How is the final mark determined?

The final mark is determined by an exam in the term following the scheduled course.

7. What is the exam like?

The exam consists entirely of short-answer questions, which are based on the weekly short-answer questions that students practice and review in discussion class. A sample exam will be made available to registered students early in the term.

8. Are the two courses independent, or do they have to be taken together?

The two courses are completely independent: one can easily be taken without the other. But they complement each other nicely.

9. Where can I get more information about the content covered in these courses?

See the Course Guide and Overview for Ph230, and the Course Guide and Overview for Ph232. You are very welcome to contact the course convener Bryan Roberts with any further questions, at b.w.roberts@lse.ac.uk

10. Is time travel really possible?

Yes, in a sense. To find out which, you'll have to take the course.