Honors 100: Knowledge Across the Disciplines

1. Honors 100: Knowledge Across the Disciplines Vladi Chaloupka University of Washington www.phys.washington.edu/users/vladi October 30, 2008 Assigned Task: 1) discuss the methodology of your field 2) encourage students to cross disciplinary boundaries In my case, that would mean discussing research in Physics, and how physics can collaborate with Chemistry, Biophysics, Computer Science, Astronomy and Astrophysics/Cosmology, …

2. Honors 100: Knowledge Across the Disciplines Vladi Chaloupka University of Washington Professor of Physics Adjunct Professor of Music Adjunct professor of International Studies Science Philosophy Music + Religion Human Affairs

3. An advertissement: • Winter 2009: H A&S 220: Science and Society • Spring 2009: PHYS216 / SIS 216: Science and Society • Either class can be taken towards either NW or Civ/I&S requirements • => very rich enrollment / “microcosm of society”

4. I. Physics • Why It There Something Rather Than Nothing? • The Central Mystery of Quantum Physics • Seeing the Andromeda with naked eye • ----------- • Consider a system of two particles say the system (Earth + Moon): • M(Earth+Moon) = m(Earth)+m(Moon)? • M(Earth+Moon) < m(Earth)+m(Moon)? • M(Earth+Moon) > m(Earth)+m(Moon)?

5. What is the mass of bound system: M -> m1 + m2 Mc2 + E(binding) = m1c2 + m2c2 Therefore M = m1 + m2 – E(binding)/c2 and M < m1+m2 !!! • => For sufficiently strong binding M -> 0 !!! • => (???) Creation of the Universe out of Nothing (???) • Recent Physics Colloquium: “Why is there Something rather than Nothing?” Conclusion: “Maybe there is Nothing, cleverly disguised as Something.”

6. Example of Modern Physics: The Central Mystery of Quantum Physics

7. Example of Modern Physics: The Central Mystery of Quantum Physics

8. Example of Modern Physics: The Central Mystery of Quantum Physics

9. The Andromeda Galaxy: 2 million light years away. The most distant object visible by naked eye (you have to know where to look, and find a really dark place, but the experience is very much worth it!) Note: for details on when and how to see Andromeda, see http://www.physics.ucla.edu/ ~huffman/m31.html

11. Conclusions from Physics: • Physics is Different: we don’t really know what we are doing / what we are talking about, but agreement of predictions with experiment and practical applications show there is Truth in it: • Cf. Einstein: “The most incomprehensible thing about the Universe is that it is [it appears to be] comprehensible”

12. II. Science and Human Affairs • Molecular Biology is Different, too, but differently different: • what you see is what you get (but it gets fantastically complex, awesome and useful)

13. Fig. 19: Marvelous Molecular machines contd. Left: “spontaneous” assembly and disassembly of a microtubule Above: a kinesin molecule walks[sic] along a microtubule, carrying an organelle See http://multimedia.mcb.harvard.edu/anim_innerlife_hi.html

14. II. Science and Human Affairs • Molecular Biology is Different, too, but differently different: • what you see is what you get (but it gets fantastically complex, awesome and useful) • you can do it in your basement • => the Basic Problem and the Big Gap

15. The Basic Problem • For the first time in human history, the capability of causing extreme harm is, or will soon be, in the hands of individuals or small groups. This is the 'Basic Problem'.  The actual manifestation of the problem will come as an intentional or accidental misuse of our new powers. • Illustration: knowledge of nuclear physics is not sufficient to actually build a nuclear weapon (expense, detectability). • Contrast with molecular biology (which I love !!!)

16. the Basic Problem is a reflection of the Big Gap: the ever-increasing gap between the cumulative, exponential progress in science and technology on the one hand, and on the other hand, the lack of comparable progress in our ability to use our new technological tools thoughtfully and responsibly.

17. Aristotle as a case study: Aristotle Physics: F = m times v F = m times a Aristotle Philosophy: "of the above mentioned forms, the perversions are as follows: of monarchy, tyranny; of aristocracy, oligarchy; of constitutional government, democracy."

18. III. What about culture / music / Bach’s music? “what is the value of Elementary Particle Physics for National Defense?” “none, except it makes the Nation more worthy of defending” ------- “what is the value of J.S.Bach’s Art of Fugue ?” “none, except it (or something equivalent for you) makes the Civilization more worthy of preserving” ------- To solve the Basic Problem, we will have to find a way to combine Exuberance and Humility – and (Bach’s) Music can help!

19. Exuberance and Humility in Music and Science Left: The pipe organ at the St. Marks Cathedral in Seattle Above: the 1743(Bach was just composing the Art of Fugue then!) instrument at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg.

20. CONCLUSIONS • Physics, properly understood and taught, leads (if not to one of the mainstream, revealed religions) to a highly spiritual, idealistic, non-materialistic worldview. • It is an excellent glue between different Science disciplines – and even between Sciences and Humanities. • This may make it possible to re-establish the original meaning of the concept of a “University” and of Science as “Natural Philosophy” – so that we deserve our PhD titles! • Solving the Basic Problem will be very difficult, but YOU will have to do it. • Solution will require education, risk assessment, study of preventative measures, coping with the aftermath of upheavals, and reform and strengthening of international law. It will require courage, thinking out of the box, and a genuine transdisciplinary cooperation of Sciences and Humanities. • If you succeed, the sky is the limit!