Lux & Flux: The History and Philosophy of Physics Podcast

This episode is on Zeno of Elea (born c. 490 BCE) - student of Parmenides, namesake of the quantum Zeno effect, and originator of some puzzling paradoxes. I'll focus on Zeno's arguments against plurality and his paradoxes of motion as recorded by Simplicius and Aristotle.

Let's get metaphysical! This episode focuses primarily on Parmenides (6th - mid-5th century BCE), the "father of metaphysics". He believed that a lot of what we see and believe in (concepts such as creation and movement) are actually an illusion and that reality is unchanging. 

I'll discuss Parmenides's theory, argument, and influence and take some side-trips into the philosophy of physics - looking at theories of what was before the Big Bang and (my favourite topic) the nature of time!

Can you step in the same river twice? This episode will give an answer to this question by discussing Heraclitus, the "philosopher of flux". I'll focus mostly on his doctrines of flux and the unity of opposites, but also mention some of his writings on ethics, politics, and theology. Supposedly self-taught and quite critical of earlier thinkers, Heraclitus would influence a number of important Greek philosophers. 

This is a bonus episode on Pythagoreanism, AKA the Most Epic Math Club Ever. A religious cult and school of mathematics combined, Pythagoreanism has had a lasting impact on science and philosophy. I'll discuss the religious influences on Pythagoreanism, early Pythagorean beliefs, some of the most famous early Pythagoreans, its link to medieval European education, and its influence on some key thinkers during the Renaissance period. Join me this episode and learn how mathematics can purify your immortal soul!

This episode focuses on Pythagoras of Samos (c. 590 - c. 470 BCE) - the man, the primarily myth, the legend with a golden thigh. A surprisingly controversial figure, what do we know or not know about the namesake for one of the most well-known theorems in all of mathematics?

This episode continues Part 1's discussion of the first Greek philosophers with Anaximander ("father of cosmology") and Anaximenes (sadly, no catchy title) of Miletus. 

This episode and the following episode focus on the beginnings of Western philosophy in the Ionian city of Miletus. Part 1 is on Thales, the first known philosopher of the Greek tradition.

I also have an exciting announcement at the end about the upcoming Intelligent Speech Conference!

This is another background episode, covering some "philosophy for science" that I think will be important. It focuses mainly on logic (deduction, induction) and the analysis of arguments.

This episode provides a bit of background to the history of physics. It focuses on the Babylonians and some of their important developments in the fields of mathematics and astronomy.

Welcome to The History and Philosophy of Physics Podcast! This episode is just a short introduction to the topic and why I was interested in starting up this project.