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 | |
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| 13.00 | WELCOME & 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) |
| 15.00 | Mira Maiwöger (Atominstitut, Technische Universität Wien) Lukas Mairhofer (Quantum Nanophysics & Molecular Quantum Optics, University of Vienna) »Observing interference: Simulating patterns, measuring fringes« |
| 16.00 | Coffee Break |
| 16.30 | Frank Pasemann (Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Osnabrück) |
| 17.30 | Eric 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 |
| Thursday January 21, 2016 | |
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| 10.00 | Arianna 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) |
| 12.00 | Lunch |
| 13.00 | Hans-Jörg Rheinberger (Max Planck Institute for the History of Science / Technische Universität Berlin) »Computer Simulations and Experimental Systems« |
| 13.30 | Round Table Discussion |
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.