17 Mar
2025
17 Mar
'25
10:21 a.m.
Dear all,
As the world is celebrating the UNESCO International Year of Quantum
Science and Technology, the VCQ and VDSP invite you to *Quantum Outside
the Box* <https://vcq-quantum.at/quantum-outside-the-box/>, an
*interdisciplinary event series* that explores the intersection of
quantum physics with other fields, offering researchers fresh
perspectives and unexpected connections.
The first event will be
„*/Philosophysics/: A History of Vienna Quantum Foundations“*
Friday, *4 April 2025*
*4.30 pm *
*Afterwards*: Get-Together with snacks
**
*Lise-Meitner lecture Hall*,
*Faculty of Physics, University of Vienna*
1st floor, Boltzmanngasse 5, 1090 Vienna
*Register for the event **here
<https://vcq-quantum.at/quantum-and-history/>****(deadline 31 March 2025)*
*Introduction and moderation by Dr. **Maria Eftychia Papageorgiou *
<https://www.iqoqi-vienna.at/people/staff/maria-eftychia-papageorgiou>*(IQOQI
Vienna, Austrian Academy of Sciences)*
*Speaker: Dr. **Flavio Del Santo*
<https://ufind.univie.ac.at/de/person.html?id=1015642>*(University of
Vienna and University of Geneva)*
*Abstract:*While in most universities worldwide, the foundations of
quantum mechanics remain outside mainstream research, in Vienna, this
field thrives. With two Nobel laureates, E. Schrödinger and A.
Zeilinger, for their contributions to the foundations of quantum
mechanics, and hundreds of active researchers, Vienna is now recognized
as one of the strongholds for quantum foundations. But how did this come
about?
In this historical journey, we will explore how such a fertile ground
for foundational research emerged from a unique cultural milieu dating
back to Vienna’s intellectual golden age, when physics and philosophy
were deeply intertwined. We will also examine how the rise of
Nazi-fascism disrupted this thriving environment and how Viennese
institutions struggled to reconstruct modern physics after WWII.
Moreover, the postwar era’s pragmatic approach to physics, epitomized by
the motto „shut up and calculate,“ relegated quantum foundations to
almost taboo status. Even J. Bell, whose inequalities paved the way for
quantum nonlocality and quantum information science, received little
recognition for his foundational contributions during his lifetime.
We will see that, while this was also apparently the case in Vienna,
physics and philosophy were never fully disentangled, and foundational
interest kept smoldering under the ashes of pragmatism.
Please note also our next event:
*„Quantum Mechanics and Avant-Garde Music: Shadows of the Void“*
*Speaker: **Rakhat-Bi Abdyssagin*
<https://www.verlag-neue-musik.de/verlag/authors.php?language=en&authors_id=666>
Host: Lin-Qing Chen
<https://www.iqoqi-vienna.at/people/staff/linqing-chen>(IQOQI Vienna, ÖAW)
Tuesday, *15 April 2025, *
*3.30 pm *
*Afterwards*: Get-Together with snacks
**
*Faculty of Physics, University of Vienna*
*Christian-Doppler lecture Hall*, 3rd floor, Boltzmanngasse 5, 1090 Vienna
Registration for the quantum&music event is possible here
<https://vcq-quantum.at/quantum-and-music/>
We are looking forward to seeing you at Quantum Outside the Box!
With kind regards,
The VDSP and VCQ Team
*/Quantum Outside the Box/*/is an interdisciplinary event series that
explores the intersection of quantum physics with other fields, offering
researchers fresh perspectives and unexpected connections. Through
engaging talks and discussions, participants gain new insights into the
ethical implications of emerging quantum technologies, draw parallels
between scientific creativity and artistic expression, and reflect on
the historical and philosophical dimensions of quantum discoveries. By
bridging disciplines, Quantum Outside the Box challenges researchers to
view their work in a broader context and consider its impact beyond
traditional scientific boundaries./