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LTT: C. Jacobs

January 21, 2022 @ 12:10 pm - 1:30 pm EST

  • « LTT: E. Machery
  • FFF: N. Weinberger »

Caspar Jacobs, Dept. of HPS, University of Pittsburgh

Are Mass Scalings Symmetries of Newtonian Mechanics?

ABSTRACT: There has been some recent debate over whether mass scalings – uniform scalings of all particle masses – are symmetries of Newtonian mechanics. The brief answer is that this depends on whether one also inversely scales G, the gravitational constant. If one does so, then the decrease in gravitational strength compensates for the increase in particle masses. However, it is unclear what the gravitational constant is, and hence what it means to change its value. Is G a parameter in the laws, or a property of the world? Is it fixed across physical possibilities, or can it have different values? I will develop an account of constants such as G as ‘links’ between the values of quantities with different dimensions. Based on this account, I will argue that the possibility of G-scalings depends on whether one is an anti-quidditist about determinate quantities or not.

Please Note: Non-Pitt individuals who want to attend our in-person talks must send an email in advance to Katie Labuda (kathleenlabuda@pitt.edu) requesting Guest Building Access, or you will not be able to enter the Cathedral of Learning.

If you prefer to watch on Zoom, please register in advance here:  https://pitt.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3mgPjrJFQn6GCLCl02NEJA

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Details

Date:
January 21, 2022
Time:
12:10 pm - 1:30 pm EST
Event Categories:
Lunchtime Talks, Lunchtime Talks 2021-22
Event Tags:
ltt

Venue

1117 Cathedral of Learning
4200 Fifth Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15260 United States
  • « LTT: E. Machery
  • FFF: N. Weinberger »
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