Out now: the Proceedings volume! For bibliographical details, see Springer-Verlag or amazon.com. |
Table of Contents: Jean Bricmont, "Bayes, Boltzmann and Bohm: Probability in Physics" Carlo Cercignani, "The Rise of Statistical Mechanics" Sheldon Goldstein, "Boltzmann's Approach to Statistical Mechanics" Herbert Spohn, "Microscopic Time Reversibility and the Boltzmann Equation" Oliver Penrose, "The Direction of Time" Michael K.-H. Kiessling, "How to Implement Boltzmann's Probabilistic Ideas in a Relativistic World?" Stephen L. Adler, "Probability in Orthodox Quantum Mechanics" Detlef Dürr, "Bohmian Mechanics" Alberto Rimini, "Chance of Reduction as Chance of Spontaneous Localisation" Roland Omnès, "Probabilities, Decohering Histories, and the Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics" Simon W. Saunders, "Space-Time and Probability" Antony Valentini, "Hidden Variables, Statistical Mechanics, and the Early Universe" Gian Carlo Ghirardi, "Perspectives of the Dynamical Reduction Program" Heinz-Peter Breuer, Francesco Petruccione, "Relativistic Theory of Continuous Measurements" José Acacio de Barros, Patrick Suppes, "Probabilistic Results for Six Detectors in a Three-Particle GHZ Experiment" Enrico G. Beltrametti, "Classical Versus Quantum Probabilities" Andreas Knauf, "Does Quantum Chaos Exist?" Stefano Ruffo, "Time-Scales for the Approach to Thermal Equilibrium" Andrea Carati, Luigi Galgani, "Einstein's Nonconventional Conception of the Photon" Maria Carla Galavotti, "What Interpretation for Probability in Physics?" Peter J. Clark, "Statistical Mechanics and the Propensity Interpretation of Probability" Tim Maudlin, "Interpreting Probabilities: What's interference got to do with it?" |
The meeting is intended to provide a workshop atmosphere in which
the following topics will be discussed: Foundations of Statistical Mechanics,
Probability in the Foundations of Quantum Mechanics, Algebraic View of
Probability, Philosophy of Probability in its Interrelation with Physics.
It is probably agreed that the questions like what probability is,
or what it is about, or how probability enters physics are of a subtle
kind, they are difficult in various ways, often mixed up with the enormous
complexity and the inescabable lack of mathematical rigor in physical application
or with the foundational problems of quantum mechanics, where the probabilistic
ignorance concerning the values of certain physical quantities has been
elevated to a matter of principle. At present the understanding of probability
in physics is almost as personal as the understanding of quantum theory.
The aim of the conference is to sharpen the ideas on probability in
physics, its meaning and its philosophical implications, by reviewing the
different facets of probability in physics and by extensive discussions.
We plan to have not more than 18 ONE-HOUR-TALKS. We would like the one-hour-talks
to be not too technical, understandable even to nonspecialists, and---perhaps
most importantly---to provide perspective. The role of the talks is to
set the grounds for later discussions, which may take place in round tables,
where more details (also technical ones) can be presented, or in general
discussion sessions. As a rule of thumb: It should be in the interest of
all of us to DISCUSS and UNDERSTAND the issues, rather than to overburden
the participants with talks. It should be clear that ROUND TABLE DISCUSSIONS
and the general DISCUSSION SESSIONS are as important if not more important
than the ONE-HOUR-TALKS.
The composition of the round tables will be decided by the invited
round table organizers. Also the round tables will be organized in conformity
with the general idea that we may only benefit from mutual discussions
if they stay focussed. Although the round tables provide a platform for
more detailed discussion, technical papers should be given only if they
serve to provide a better grasp of the issue.
The list of participants, the topics they
represent and the topics for round tables will give
you an idea of the focus of the discussions.
This meeting is intended to provide an atmosphere of intense discussion,
and unlike presentation-of-latest-results-meetings it is for the success
of this meeting of great importance that the participants stay for the
duration of the meeting.
The participants are not required to present a talk (except
of course those who were asked to). All participants
are asked to take active part in the discussions and they might be asked
to present a short contribution at the round tables.
The conference center has expressed its desire for proceedings of the
meeting. There will be proceedings containing all contributed papers (main
talks and round table presentations).
For more information mail to tumulka@rz.mathematik.uni-muenchen.de