Sydney’s Philosophy in the Café - Philo Agora.

A fortnightly exchange of ideas on the issues facing ourselves and our world within a philosophical format. A talk relating to a philosopher, philosophy or philosophical theme.

Tuesday, December 1, Tibor Molnar discusses Buridan's Ass, Murphy's Law  and Hamilton's principle of least action"

Buridan’s Ass is said to have died of starvation standing midway between two identical piles of hay, paralysed by its own indecision over which pile to eat first. This seems implausible; and yet, according to Hamilton’s Principle, such suspension in ‘equipoise’ is inevitable. This apparent contradiction is a persistent problem for both philosophy and science; this presentation is an attempt to find a resolution.
 
Tibor Molnar studied Chemical Engineering at UNSW, and then pursued a career in IT. Today he studies philosophy of science, quantum mechanics and cognitive neuroscience, and teaches at Sydney University and the WEA.

Tibor has prepared a handout to accompany the talk. Please respond to this email if you would like a copy forwarded to you.

This talk is our next to last of the year and judging by early enquiries, is expected to bring in a full house. We strongly suggest that you get in early by 7:00 for our 7:30 start. We will have a second speaker box in readiness to cater for the upstairs patrons.

Regards,

Sam, Peter, Hazel and Cara.