Abstract

Computer simulations become more and more important as scientific medium. In physics research the role of computer simulations varies drastically from a mere means of numerical specification of theory for special experimental setups to computer simulations as a language for expressing fundamental concepts, thus rivaling mathematics as sole language of theory, up to computer simulations as ubiquitous research device, rendering the distinction between signals from nature and computer generated data ever more difficult. This brings about epistemological turbulences: what are their first principles if computer simulations come into play? How to set up criteria for physical truth if mimetic strategies like the Turing Test become common? How to judge the influence of IT infrastructure on physics since supercomputers become the stage for processes in nature? The symposium will shed light on these questions by discussing case studies, historical and philosophical inquiries, and arguments from physics itself.

Wednesday January 20, 2016
13.00WELCOME & Introduction
Martin Warnke (MECS Institute for Advanced Study on Media Cultures of Computer Simulation, Leuphana Universität)
Anne Dippel (MECS Institute for Advanced Study on Media Cultures of Computer Simulation, Leuphana Universität / Humbold-Universität zu Berlin / Friedrich Schiller University of Jena) 
14.00

Kristel Michielsen (MECS Institute for Advanced Study on Media Cultures of Computer Simulation, Leuphana Universität / Jülich Supercomputing Centre, Forschungszentrum Jülich)
Hans De Raedt (MECS Institute for Advanced Study on Media Cultures of Computer Simulation, Leuphana Universität / Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen)
»Discrete event simulation of quantum physics experiments«

15.00Mira Maiwöger (Atominstitut, Technische Universität Wien)
Lukas Mairhofer (Quantum Nanophysics & Molecular Quantum Optics, University of Vienna)
»Observing interference: Simulating patterns, measuring fringes«
16.00Coffee Break
16.30

Frank Pasemann (Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Osnabrück)
»Is there a Need for New Theories in Physics?«

17.30Eric Winsberg (MECS Institute for Advanced Study on Media Cultures of Computer Simulation, Leuphana University / University of South Florida)
»Confirmation in analog and computer simulation«
19.00

 Reception & Dinner
(MECS, Wallstr. 3, 21335 Lüneburg)

Thursday January 21, 2016
10.00Arianna Borrelli (MECS Institute for Advanced Study on Media Cultures of Computer Simulation, Leuphana University / Technische Universität Berlin)
»Computer simulations and the history of quantum theory«
11.00

Wolfgang Hagen (MECS Institute for Advanced Study on Media Cultures of Computer Simulation, Leuphana University)
»On nature, its mental pictures and simulatabilty. A few genealogical remarks«

12.00Lunch
13.00Hans-Jörg Rheinberger (Max Planck Institute for the History of Science / Technische Universität Berlin)
»Computer Simulations and Experimental Systems«
13.30

Round Table Discussion

Concept & Organization
Martin Warnke 
Anne Dippel 

 

Conference venue
Museum Lüneburg 
Wandrahmstr. 10
21335 Lüneburg
Germany 

 

Registration
The symposium is open to the public and free of charge, but registration is required. Please register by sending an e-mail to: mecs@leuphana.de.

 

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