Tim Maudlin

Tim Maudlin, a philosophy professor at NYU and director of the John Bell Institute, dives into the fascinating intersection of physics and metaphysics. He discusses the nature of time, comparing presentism and eternalism. Topics like scientific reductionism and the laws of nature are explored, along with riveting questions about free will and causation. Maudlin also introduces modal realism and David Lewis’s possible worlds, challenging listeners to rethink their understanding of reality and the notion of possibilities.

Tim Maudlin, a philosophy professor at NYU and an expert on quantum foundations, dives into the complexities of quantum mechanics. He critiques hidden-variable theories and dissects the implications of Bell's theorem on locality. The conversation touches on thought experiments like Schrödinger's cat, wrestling with profound philosophical dilemmas. Maudlin also advocates for the importance of foundational studies in physics, emphasizing the need for a bridge between philosophy and scientific inquiry to enhance our understanding of reality.

Sam Harris speaks with Tim Maudlin about the foundations of physics and metaphysics. They talk about the nature of scientific reductionism, emergence, functionalism, the nature of time, presentism vs eternalism, causation, the nature of possibility, the laws of nature, David Lewis’s possible worlds, rival interpretations of quantum mechanics, free will, and other topics. Tim Maudlin is Professor of Philosophy at NYU and the Founder and Director of the John Bell Institute for the Foundations of Physics. He has a BA in Physics and Philosophy from Yale and a PhD in History and Philosophy of Science from the University of Pittsburgh. He is a Guggenheim Fellow and fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Science, and the author of books on the foundations of physics, logic, and foundations of mathematics. His books include Quantum Non-Locality and Relativity, Truth and Paradox, The Metaphysics Within Physics, Philosophy of Physics: Space and Time, and Philosophy of Physics: Quantum Theory. Website: www.JohnBellInstitute.org   Learning how to train your mind is the single greatest investment you can make in life. That’s why Sam Harris created the Waking Up app. From rational mindfulness practice to lessons on some of life’s most important topics, join Sam as he demystifies the practice of meditation and explores the theory behind it.

Tim Maudlin, a physicist and philosopher from New York University, specializes in the foundations of quantum mechanics. Joining him is Bernardo Kastrup, a philosopher known for his insights on consciousness. They delve into the complexities of physical realism, locality, and the implications of Bell's theorem. Their spirited discussion touches on the contrasting views of analytic idealism and integrated information theory, creating an engaging debate about the very nature of reality and its philosophical ramifications.

Tim Maudlin, a Professor of Philosophy at NYU and founder of the John Bell Institute for the Foundations of Physics, dives into the complexities of general relativity. He unpacks the concepts of black holes and curvature of space, shedding light on Penrose diagrams and their implications. The conversation also explores the paradoxes of distance and time, contrasting Newtonian physics with Einstein's revolutionary theories. Expect thought-provoking insights that challenge common misconceptions in the fascinating realm of physics.

Tim Maudlin, a philosophy professor at NYU and founder of the John Bell Institute, teams up with Tim Palmer, an Oxford physicist known for his work in climate physics and chaos theory. They dissect superdeterminism and its clash with Bell's theorem, probing the philosophical dilemmas around free will and quantum mechanics. Their insightful dialogue explores the interplay between deterministic systems and cosmic randomness, while challenging the foundations of locality and statistical independence in physics. A thought-provoking exploration awaits!

Tim Maudlin, a Professor of Philosophy at NYU and the founder of the John Bell Institute, dives deep into Einstein's theory of special relativity. He dispels misconceptions about the ether and explores the distinction between absolute and relative space. The discussion highlights key concepts like the constancy of light speed and the profound implications of the twins paradox. Maudlin further connects relativity with quantum mechanics, bringing clarity to the intricate relationship between these foundational theories of physics.

David Albert, a professor of Philosophy at Columbia, and Tim Maudlin, a professor at NYU, discuss the measurement problem, philosophy in physics, Schrödinger's cat, Wigner’s friend, and Niels Bohr's impact on quantum mechanics and science philosophy.

Craig Callender and Tim Maudlin, leading philosophers of science and physics, join Robinson to delve into the philosophy of time, discussing the reality of the past, present, and future, the direction of time, and its relationship to relativity and quantum mechanics. They explore the A-Theory and B-Theory of time, concepts like presentism, eternalism, and the four-dimensional view of time. They also touch on non-locality in quantum mechanics, measuring time in relativity, and the purpose of theorizing about time travel. Plus, they discuss the compatibility of time travel with physics and make a pitch for the John Bell Institute for the Foundations of Physics.

Tim Maudlin, a Professor at NYU and expert in quantum realism, dives deep into the metaphysical aspects of quantum mechanics. He explores the philosophical implications of Bell's theorem, challenging our understanding of non-locality. The discussion also touches on the relationship between mathematics and physics, questioning the foundations of reality itself. Maudlin critiques various interpretations of quantum mechanics, advocating for a deeper philosophical inquiry into the nature of time and existence, while introducing listeners to the complexity of quantum theories.