186 - Jenann Ismael: Determinism and Self-Reference in Classical and Quantum Physics

Patreon: https://bit.ly/3v8OhY7

Jenann Ismael is the William H. Miller III Professor of Philosophy at Johns Hopkins University, where she researches the philosophy of physics, science, mind, and metaphysics. In this episode, Robinson and Jenann discuss the role of self-reference in physics, the arrows of time, interpretations of quantum mechanics, and free will. Jenann’s latest book is Time: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press, 2021).

Jenann’s Website: https://www.jenanni.com

Time: A Very Short Introduction: https://a.co/d/8fRtXFZ

How Physics Makes Us Free: https://a.co/d/9OdFJ12

OUTLINE

00:00 In This Episode

00:23 Introduction

02:21 Jenann’s Entry into Philosophy of Physics

8:26 Self-Reference and the Universe

21:54 The Real-World Problem of Self-Reference

32:51 The Mentaculus

57:01 Interference and Self-Reference

1:01:55 Interference and Quantum Measurement

1:06:12 On Self-Reference and the Many-Worlds Theory of Quantum Mechanics

1:17:13 On Determinism and Free Will

Robinson’s Website: http://robinsonerhardt.com

Robinson Erhardt researches symbolic logic and the foundations of mathematics at Stanford University. Join him in conversations with philosophers, scientists, weightlifters, artists, and everyone in-between.