Philosophy Program and Physics Program Present

The Philosophy of Left and Right

In the talk we investigate so-called enantiomorphs, objects whose mirror image is intrinsically different. We start with the analyses provided by the philosopher Kant, culminating in his eventual vindication of a Newtonian idea of space. We then trace the phenomenon of enantiomorphy though the history of geometry in the nineteenth century, constructing a model of the aforementioned fancy fair attraction with paper and tape, and we find out how the phenomenon sheds light on the development of Einstein's relativity theories. Zooming out, we see that the puzzle of enantiomorphs crisply illustrates a philosophical insight that has arguably had huge significance beyond the philosophy of physics, all the way into the economic theory and political philosophy of Marx.

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For more information, call 845-758-6822, or e-mail [email protected].

Time: 12:00 pm EST/GMT-5

Location: Hegeman 107

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