If you are intrigued by the long-standing question whether spacetime is discrete or continuous, this upcoming lecture is an excellent opportunity. Jean Paul Van Bendegem, former director of the Centre for Logic and Philosophy of Science (CLPS), has invited David Crouse from Clarkson University, US, to explore the concept of discrete spacetime. Prof. David Crouse is currently on a sabbatical, touring around Europe, and will give the lecture in person. His talk will address the history of the discussion whether space and time are continuous or made up of fundamental building blocks, i.e. atomized or discretized at the Planck scale. We will discuss the past leading models of discrete spacetime and the common problems typically associated with the concept. We will then discuss a new model that strives to address all the problems and give the concept of discrete spacetime a firm foundation. In particular, we will show that the new model—called the Isotropic Model—addresses the problem of adherence to the laws of special relativity, resolves the Weyl-tile problem and Zeno’s stadium paradox, and avoids the anisotropy problems common to most other models of discrete spacetime. During the lecture, we will also discuss new physical phenomena and predictions. Welcome!
Practical
The lecture is organised by the Centre for Logic and Philosophy of Science (CLPS), since 2024 part of the Large Research Group CLEA, VUB. The talk will take place live at the VUB campus in Elsene (Brussels) and is open to everyone interested.
When. Monday April 29, 2024 from 14:00 until 16:00h
Where. VUB campus Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Elsene. Building C, room C.5.04.
More info. Please contact Colin.Jakob.Rittberg@vub.be
