Humanities Conference

A joint workshop of the Max-Planck-Institute for the History of Science and the Einstein Papers Project at the California Institute of Technology.

Pasadena, USA, August 10-12, 2010.

Workshop Venue: Einstein Papers Project California Institute of Technology 20-7 Pasadena, CA 91125, USA

Workshop Conveners: Diana Kormos-Buchwald; Jürgen Renn; Tilman Sauer

Workshop Participants:

Alexander Blum (MPIWG Berlin); Diana Kormos-Buchwald (EPP/Caltech); Jeroen van Dongen (Utrecht University and EPP/Caltech); Christian Joas (FHI/MPWIG Berlin); Dennis Lehmkuhl (IZWT Wuppertal and EPP/Caltech); Christoph Lehner (MPIWG Berlin); Jürgen Renn (MPIWG Berlin); Donald C. Salisbury (Austin College); Tilman Sauer (EPP/Caltech); Kurt Sundermeyer (FU Berlin); Matthias Schemmel (TOPOI/MPIWG); Issachar Unna (Hebrew University and EPP/Caltech)

Workshop Description: The problem of formulating a quantum theory of gravitation was put on the agenda for theoretical and mathematical physicists soon after Einstein revised the classical theory of gravitation by his general theory of relativity. With the advent of modern quantum mechanics and quantum field theory, quantizing gravity turned into a research program that over time became a highly active field of research of modern theorists. While considerable technical progress has been made along different approaches, deep conceptual problems remain to be overcome. In this workshop, historians of physics who are familiar with the history of general relativity and the history of quantum theory will reexamine key sources for the origin of today s quantum gravity research. By adding a historical perspective and a focus on early expositions of quantum gravity research the workshop intends to open up a new approach to help clarify the conceptual problems that underlie a quantum theory of gravitation.

Contact: For further information, please contact Tilman Sauer ([email protected]).