#  Foundations of Physics @Harvard: Eddy Chen (UCSD) 

 



####  calendar\_today Date and Time 

 **December 13, 2022** 

 01:00PM - 03:00PM EST 

####  pin\_drop Location 

 **Zoom**  



 

 



 

###  Foundations of Physics @Harvard Seminar

###   **![Foundations of Physics flyer](/sites/g/files/omnuum4436/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/phildept/files/chen_foundations_of_physics.png?itok=o3q-q_Sk)** 


###  **Eddy Keming Chen**

 *University of California, San Diego*

##  “The Simplicity of Physical Laws”


###  Tuesday, December 13

 **1:00–2:00**  
Talk

 **2:00–2:05**  
Break

 **2:05–3:00**  
Open Discussion and Q&A

###  [Zoom Registration](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScC5_5MyQ_6NLCXbdq6hpzYbMS9UTeyxswrNA3j2YVBxANocA/viewform)

####    
**[Paper (arXiv)](https://arxiv.org/abs/2210.08143)**

####  **Abstract**

 Physical laws are strikingly simple, although there is no *a priori* reason they must be so. I propose that nomic realists of all types (Humeans and non-Humeans) should accept that simplicity is a fundamental epistemic guide for discovering and evaluating candidate physical laws. This principle of simplicity clarifies and solves several problems of nomic realism and simplicity. A consequence is that the often-cited epistemic advantage of Humeanism over non-Humeanism is exaggerated, undercutting an influential epistemological argument for Humeanism. Moreover, simplicity is shown to be more tightly connected to lawhood than to mere truth.

 • The Foundations of Physics @Harvard series is co-sponsored by the Department of Philosophy  
• This is a free Zoom event (no registration fee)  
• The meeting ID and password will be shared with those who register  
• Each talk will be 1 hour, followed by a 5-minute break and then 55 minutes for questions  
• You can find more events in this series on the [Foundations of Physics @Harvard website](https://harvardfop.jacobbarandes.com/20220823am)  
• You can visit the [YouTube channel here](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPRe-yID_EaQwvCZM7hU9Hw/videos)

 Questions or comments: [Jacob Barandes](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.jacobbarandes.com/&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AOvVaw0cf7ryDjodlbIKdDnfECN1), <lastname>(at)g.harvard.edu (organizer)



 

 



 

 

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