History and Foundations of Physics Reading Group (HoFoP)

HoFoP is an interdisciplinary group of students and faculty at Yale dedicated to exploring and discussing topics in the philosophy and history of physics, and of science more broadly.  We engage with foundational texts as well as with contemporary ideas and guest speakers.  Meetings are once a month.

Contact: Yarone Tokayer , Molly Watts, or Sebastian Fernandez-Mulligan

Faculty Advisor: Priya Natarajan

Fall 2024

History & Foundations of Physics & Graduate Theory Seminar Group - November 20, 2024, “Are scientists special?”. Kline Tower, rm. 501 @ 5:30 pm.

A conversation on moral virtues and public authority.

Readings: Shapin, the way we trust now and Shapin, Scientific Life Ch. 3 (supplemental)

Discussion Guide

Co-sponsored by the Franke Program in Science and the Humanities.

History & Foundations of Physics & Graduate Theory Seminar Group - October 1, 2024, “What is Complexity in Science?”. Kline Tower, rm. 501 @ 5:30 pm.

A discussion on chaos, causality and computation.

Readings: McIntyre and Prigogine (optional)

Discussion Guide

Co-sponsored by the Franke Program in Science and the Humanities.

Summer 2024

History & Foundations of Physics & Graduate Theory Seminar Group - June 4, 2024, “Symmetry and Conservation in Nature”. Kline Tower, rm. 501 @ 12:30 pm.

Readings: Lange and Weyl (excerpt)

Co-sponsored by the Franke Program in Science and the Humanities.