Carlo Rovelli on physics and philosophy

The speaker begins by expressing gratitude for the audience's presence and shares the struggle of introducing a multifaceted individual who embodies various roles such as a theoretical physicist, author, world traveler, and philosopher. The speaker then delves into a personal anecdote about writing books for the general public and the existential crisis of being perceived as a writer rather than a scientist. The conversation transitions into discussing the speaker's position at the Rotman School of Philosophy, highlighting the artificial separation between philosophy and physics and the importance of interdisciplinary dialogue.

The speaker discusses the value of engaging with philosophers, emphasizing the critical thinking and imaginative approaches they bring to the table. The conversation explores the historical connection between physics and philosophy, citing the deep philosophical knowledge of scientists like Einstein, Heisenberg, and Newton. The speaker argues against the reductionist view of science as mere data collection and equation writing, advocating for a broader understanding of scientific inquiry as a quest for conceptual clarity and paradigm shifts.

The speaker shares the inspiration behind his book 'Reality is Not What it Seems,' which began as a struggle to convey the complex subject of quantum gravity to a general audience. The speaker's epiphany occurred during a drive, leading to a unique approach of narrating the history of scientific thought to explain contemporary physics. The conversation also touches on the importance of unlearning and reconceptualizing established notions, underlining the iterative and humble nature of scientific progress.

The speaker recounts the specific moment of inspiration that led to the writing of 'Reality is Not What it Seems,' resulting in a speeding ticket due to excitement. The anecdote illustrates the speaker's passion for communicating complex ideas and the serendipitous nature of creative breakthroughs. The conversation also explores the concept of humility in learning, emphasizing the willingness to question and unlearn established beliefs as a cornerstone of scientific inquiry.

The speaker discusses the paradox at the heart of quantum gravity, highlighting the contrasting views of reality presented by quantum mechanics and general relativity. The conversation delves into the search for a unifying principle that reconciles these perspectives, with the speaker advocating for a conservative approach that builds upon existing knowledge. The speaker also addresses the role of new fundamental principles in advancing the understanding of quantum gravity and the importance of being open to nature's guidance.

The speaker explores the search for evidence to support theories of quantum gravity, discussing recent developments and the implications of大自然的引导 (nature's guidance). The conversation touches on the absence of low-energy supersymmetry and the challenges faced by theories that break Lorentz invariance. The speaker emphasizes the importance of listening to nature and adapting scientific perspectives in response to empirical evidence, while also acknowledging the tentative nature of current theories and the potential for future discoveries.

The speaker discusses potential directions for future research in quantum gravity, including early cosmology, black holes, and the possibility of white holes as dark matter. The conversation highlights the speculative nature of current theories and the need for empirical testing. The speaker also expresses optimism about the potential for quantum gravity to yield insights into the nature of time and space, while acknowledging the limitations of current understanding and the open questions that remain.

The speaker argues for the importance of fundamental science and pure research, emphasizing the need for balance between applied and theoretical work. The conversation critiques the current focus on practical applications and the underfunding of basic scientific inquiry, which the speaker views as detrimental to scientific progress. The speaker also discusses the Quantum Information Structure of Space Time (KISS) initiative, which aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and address fundamental questions at the intersection of physics and philosophy.

The speaker elaborates on the goals of the KISS initiative, which seeks to foster dialogue between quantum information, quantum gravity, and philosophy communities. The conversation highlights the potential for cross-disciplinary insights and the importance of philosophical perspectives in addressing foundational questions. The speaker also discusses the structure of the KISS conference, emphasizing the value of open discussion and the exchange of diverse viewpoints in advancing scientific understanding.

The speaker reflects on the challenges of writing about time, particularly in a manner that is accessible to both experts and laypersons. The conversation touches on the complexities of time as a concept and the speaker's approach to dismantling common misconceptions about time in his book. The speaker also discusses the iterative process of writing and revising, aiming to distill complex ideas into a clear and comprehensible narrative.

The speaker shares his perspective on writing as a means of clarifying his own understanding of complex scientific concepts. The conversation explores the dual audience of expert and non-expert readers and the speaker's approach to balancing the needs of both groups. The speaker also discusses the process of writing, highlighting the challenges of conveying ideas that are both accurate and accessible, and the importance of revising and refining one's work.

The speaker discusses his current book project, which aims to narrate the process of a theoretical physicist engaging with and solving specific problems. The conversation emphasizes the human aspect of scientific inquiry, including the struggles, changes of mind, and moments of realization. The speaker also shares his motivation to make theoretical science relatable and to provide insight into the scientific process.

The speaker reveals his late-night preoccupations, which include a proposed quantum gravity experiment and the theoretical challenges it presents. The conversation touches on the speaker's efforts to find the right theoretical description for the experiment, highlighting the的乐趣 (joy) of engaging with basic physics and the process of thinking in new ways.