next message in archive
next message in thread
previous message in archive
Index of Subjects
--Apple-Mail-102-1037708266 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed The History of Science and Technology Programme is very pleased to present a public lecture by Dr. Vic Mansfield, professor emeritus of physics at Colgate University. His talk "Einstein and Quantum Nonlocality: a Doorway to Buddhist Emptiness and Compassion" will take place Wednesday 12 March at 7:30-9:30 in Alumni Hall, University of King's College with reception to follow in the Senior Common Room. A synopsis of the talk and brief bio of Dr. Mansfield are beneath. We hope to see you there. "Einstein and Quantum Nonlocality: a Doorway to Buddhist Emptiness and Compassion" Einstein's most influential challenge to quantum theory revolved around his rejection of the lack of independent existence in quantum objects. For example, Einstein's biographer, the physicist Abraham Pais, wrote, "We often discussed his notions on objective reality. I recall that during one walk Einstein suddenly stopped, turned to me, and asked whether I really believed that the moon exists only when I look at it." Einstein's rejection of a central feature of quantum mechanics (quantum object's lack of independent existence) ignited a debate about the philosophic foundation of science that lasted for a half century. It culminated in what many consider the most important finding since the advent of modern science: the famous experiments that conclusively revealed nonlocality in nature. Now we know that "quantum moons" demonstrably do not exist when unobserved. Such "experimental metaphysics" has an extraordinarily detailed resonance with the Middle Way Buddhist principle of emptiness, the very heart of Buddhism. What Einstein found to be the most vexing feature of quantum mechanics is, in the eyes of Middle Way Buddhists, the ultimate nature of reality and the foundation for universal compassion. This talk assumes no technical background in physics or Buddhism. Bio: Vic Mansfield, professor emeritus of physics at Colgate University, has practiced and studied with spiritual leaders in the U.S., Europe, and India for more than four decades. Along with teaching a wide range of physics and astronomy courses, he taught a popular course on Tibetan culture and Buddhism for over two decades. For several years, he also taught a popular course on Jung's psychology. He has written three interdisciplinary books and scores of papers. His first book Synchronicity, Science, and Soul-Making (Open Court, 1995) has been reprinted six times while his most recent book, Tibetan Buddhism and Modern Physics: Toward a Union of Love and Knowledge with an introduction by the Dalai Lama (Templeton Foundation Press, February 2008), will be translated into Tibetan and Chinese by the Office of His Holiness. Vic warmly invites you to his website at www.lightlink.com/vic. -- Jeffrey R. Wigelsworth, PhD SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellow Department of History Dalhousie University ======================================================================== == Patrick Kelly Director of Computer Facilities ======================================================================== == Faculty of Architecture and Planning Dalhousie University ======================================================================== == PO Box 1000 Stn Central 5410 Spring Garden Road Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 2X4 Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 2X4 Canada Canada ======================================================================== == Phone:(902) 494-3294 FAX:(902) 423-6672 E-mail:patrick.kelly@dal.ca ======================================================================== == --Apple-Mail-102-1037708266 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/enriched; charset=US-ASCII The History of Science and Technology Programme is very pleased to present a public lecture by Dr. Vic Mansfield, professor emeritus of physics at Colgate University. His talk "Einstein and Quantum Nonlocality: a Doorway to Buddhist Emptiness and Compassion" will take place Wednesday 12 March at 7:30-9:30 in Alumni Hall, University of King's College with reception to follow in the Senior Common Room. A synopsis of the talk and brief bio of Dr. Mansfield are beneath. We hope to see you there. "Einstein and Quantum Nonlocality: a Doorway to Buddhist Emptiness and Compassion" Einstein's most influential challenge to quantum theory revolved around his rejection of the lack of independent existence in quantum objects. For example, Einstein's biographer, the physicist Abraham Pais, wrote, "We often discussed his notions on objective reality. I recall that during one walk Einstein suddenly stopped, turned to me, and asked whether I really believed that the moon exists only when I look at it." Einstein's rejection of a central feature of quantum mechanics (quantum object's lack of independent existence) ignited a debate about the philosophic foundation of science that lasted for a half century. It culminated in what many consider the most important finding since the advent of modern science: the famous experiments that conclusively revealed nonlocality in nature. Now we know that "quantum moons" demonstrably do not exist when unobserved. Such "experimental metaphysics" has an extraordinarily detailed resonance with the Middle Way Buddhist principle of emptiness, the very heart of Buddhism. What Einstein found to be the most vexing feature of quantum mechanics is, in the eyes of Middle Way Buddhists, the ultimate nature of reality and the foundation for universal compassion. This talk assumes no technical background in physics or Buddhism. Bio: Vic Mansfield, professor emeritus of physics at Colgate University, has practiced and studied with spiritual leaders in the U.S., Europe, and India for more than four decades. Along with teaching a wide range of physics and astronomy courses, he taught a popular course on Tibetan culture and Buddhism for over two decades. For several years, he also taught a popular course on Jung's psychology. He has written three interdisciplinary books and scores of papers. His first book Synchronicity, Science, and Soul-Making (Open Court, 1995) has been reprinted six times while his most recent book, Tibetan Buddhism and Modern Physics: Toward a Union of Love and Knowledge with an introduction by the Dalai Lama (Templeton Foundation Press, February 2008), will be translated into Tibetan and Chinese by the Office of His Holiness. Vic warmly invites you to his website at www.lightlink.com/vic. -- Jeffrey R. Wigelsworth, PhD SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellow Department of History Dalhousie University <fontfamily><param>Courier</param>========================================================================== Patrick Kelly Director of Computer Facilities ========================================================================== Faculty of Architecture and Planning Dalhousie University ========================================================================== PO Box 1000 Stn Central 5410