What is Foundations: Definition and 116 Discussions

This is a list of wealthiest charitable foundations worldwide. It consists of the 43 largest charitable foundations, private foundations engaged in philanthropy, and other charitable organizations that have disclosed their assets. In many countries, asset disclosure is not legally required or made public.
Only nonprofit foundations are included in this list. Organizations that are part of a larger company are excluded, such as holding companies.
The entries are ordered by the size of the organization's financial endowment (that is, the value of assets net of liabilities, or invested donations). The endowment value is an estimate measured in United States dollars, based on the exchange rates on December 31, 2016. Due to fluctuations in holdings, currency exchange and asset values, this list only represents the valuation of each foundation on a single day.

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  1. X

    How Can Quantum Mechanics Influence Software Engineering?

    Interested in foundations of physics, Quantum Mechanics.
  2. Spinnor

    I Nelson's Stochastic Mechanics, simple argument why interference exists?

    See, Derivation of the Schrödinger Equation from Newtonian Mechanics Edward Nelson Phys. Rev. 150, 1079 – Published 28 October 1966 Abstract, "We examine the hypothesis that every particle of mass m is subject to a Brownian motion with diffusion coefficient ℏ2m and no friction. The influence...
  3. MatinSAR

    Mistake in "Foundations of Electromagnetic Theory"?

    The book wanna show how to find potential of a dielectric. The problem arises when it uses a vector identity. Still there is no problem. My problem is that I cannot understand why ##\rho_P= -div P##? I think it should be ##-div' P##. The book is wrong? In next page it uses ##-div'## In...
  4. K

    I The Horrifying Implications of the Many-Worlds Interpretation

    In a different thread, hungrybear asks, Are the implications of MWI really this horrifying? The argument being that every conceivable world must happen to some extent, so that includes worlds so horrific that the mere possibility of their existing makes life intolerable here. Of course there...
  5. DrChinese

    A Loophole-free test of local realism via Hardy's violation

    Loophole-free test of local realism via Hardy's violation (2024) Si-Ran Zhao, Shuai Zhao, Hai-Hao Dong, Wen-Zhao Liu, Jing-Ling Chen, Kai Chen, Qiang Zhang, Jian-Wei Pan "Bell's theorem states that quantum mechanical description on physical quantity cannot be fully explained by local realistic...
  6. S

    I Can Decoherence Explain the Many Worlds Interpretation?

    I've been researching the MWI, and just when I thought I was starting to get it, I got confused again. There aren't many worlds; there's one in superposition? What's the difference? When do worlds(?) split? Will someone please explain the theory in a simple way, but not so simplistically I might...
  7. J

    I Why do we experience the Born Rule in Many Worlds?

    I hate to bring up an old saw again, but I've been listening to Carroll and some others wax poetically about Many Worlds. And Jurek's work on decoherence and pointer states seem to address some of the problems with the MWI. However, I haven't seen any compelling explanation as to why an...
  8. gentzen

    I QFT made Bohmian mechanics a non-starter: missed opportunities?

    I once conjectured that Bohmian mechanics arrived at an unfortunate point in time, when interest in QFT overshadowed potential opportunities offered by Bohmian mechanics: One of those opportunities was the analysis of non-locality, later done by Bell, and the reason why I brought up Bohmian...
  9. Demystifier

    I Nature Physics on quantum foundations

    The editors of high impact journal Nature Physics explain why the field of quantum foundations is important for physics. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41567-022-01766-x
  10. Usiia

    Self Study - Foundations of Electromagnetic Theory Problem 2-1 (two charged particles hanging on strings)

    I'd like someone to check that this solution is right, and if not, give me the point of failure and not the answer. Thanks!
  11. bhobba

    I Problems with Paper on QM Foundations

    I was on you-tube and saw a video from Oxford on QM foundations. I didn't agree with it, but that is not an issue - I disagree with a lot of interpretational stuff. The video mentioned a paper they thought essential reading...
  12. Demystifier

    Intro Physics Weinberg, Foundations of Modern Physics (2021)

    Steven Weinberg wrote a book again. Did anyone read it? https://www.amazon.com/dp/1108841767/?tag=pfamazon01-20
  13. Frabjous

    Classical The Statistical Foundations of Entropy by Ramshaw

    Does anyone have any thoughts on this book? https://www.amazon.com/dp/9813234121/?tag=pfamazon01-20
  14. A

    I Quantum Foundations: outlook on this research field?

    Recently, it has come to my attention a field called Quantum Foundations. This is exactly what brought me into Physics, even though back then I didn't know it was a research area. In my Physics classes, I got disappointed and unmotivated at the "Shut up and calculate!" attitude of my Physics...
  15. M

    I Quine's New Foundations and the concept of a Universal Set

    Has anyone come across Quine's New Foundations? https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/quine-nf/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Foundations I'm not very knowledgeable about set theory, mathematical logic, or the foundations of mathematics, but I found what I read interesting. The basic idea (as...
  16. Q

    I What is the current perspective on quantum interpretation?

    Back in the day, there were a few Quantum Interpretation polls on here, as of late I have not seen any. I love that we now have a sub-forum for Foundations discussions. I figured it would be interesting to see how the participants of PhysicsForums feel about the different interpretations these...
  17. Jamister

    Quantum Best book for quantum foundations

    I'm looking for a book on foundation of quantum mechanics. I started reading the book "do we really understand quantum mechanics" of franck laloë , and it seems to be very chatty and long. Do you have any recommendations? Thank you
  18. Jamister

    Programs Searching for universities to do my PhD on foundations of quantum mechanics

    I want to do my Phd on foundations of quantum mechanics, but I don't find researchers in the U.S.A that work on that. Is there a good way to search other than to go to each university and go over the PI's? Thanks
  19. S

    I Forces (Fields) of Nature and Quantum Foundations

    Is it possible for new forces or fields of nature to be connected to quantum foundations? For example, new forces or fields that choose the decoherent histories or branches. Or generally actualize one of the decoherence branches? Or should new forces or fields of nature be reserved for...
  20. AndreasC

    I Exploring Foundations of Quantum Mechanics & QFT

    Hey, applied maths and physics student here. I started wondering recently what the meaning of measurement was in quantum mechanics, and I remembered that I had once heard of the bohmian interpretation which challenged the impression I had so far (which was that hidden variables had been...
  21. Demystifier

    A Implications of quantum foundations on interpretations of relativity

    Physicists often discuss interpretations of quantum mechanics (QM), but they rarely discuss interpretations of relativity. Which is strange, because the interpretations of quantum non-locality are closely related to interpretations of relativity. The field of interpretations of relativity is...
  22. Greg Bernhardt

    I Quantum Interpretations and Foundations Guidelines

    Cliff Notes Version Quantum Interpretations and Foundations guidelines All PF guidelines applicable to any forum apply here, plus the following. Questions in initial posts of threads may cite unpublished textbooks or pre-publication papers such as ArXiv, subject as always to review of sources...
  23. Auto-Didact

    Quantum Best books on Quantum Foundations?

    What are the best books on QT Foundations out there? This seems to be a difficult question which has very different answers depending on who you happen to ask. There seem to be at least two different levels, e.g. intermediate texts and advanced texts, with a very wide gap in between, which is...
  24. A. Neumaier

    A Jürg Fröhlich on the deeper meaning of Quantum Mechanics

    I'd like to draw attention to a very recent paper by Jürg Fröhlich, a well-known mathematical physicist from the ETH Zürich. It starts out as follows: Section 2 is titled ''Standard formulation of Quantum Mechanics and its shortcomings''. Surely @vanhees71 has very convincing reasons why this...
  25. Avatrin

    A Logical foundations of smooth manifolds

    Hi I am currently trying to learn about smooth manifolds (Whitneys embedding theorem and Stokes theorem are core in the course I am taking). However, progress for me is slow. I remember that integration theory and probability became a lot easier for me after I learned some measure theory. This...
  26. T

    Weak Induction implies Strong Induction

    Homework Statement [/B] Weak Induction: If (i) ##S(1)## holds, and (ii) for every ##k \geq 1(S(k) \Rightarrow S(k+1)##. Then ##\forall n \geq 1##, ##S(n)## holds. Strong Induction: If (i) ##S(k)## is true and (ii) ##\forall m\geq k [S(k) \land \cdots \land S(m)]\Rightarrow S(m+1)##. Then for...
  27. Auto-Didact

    A Is QM Foundations Facing a Crisis?

    This thread is a shootoff from this post in the thread Summary of Frauchiger-Renner. The topics are related, but this thread offers a new perspective that diverges from the main subject of that thread. In QM foundations, the sheer amount of interpretations, disagreement among experts about what...
  28. W

    I Reading materials on quantum foundations

    Hi all, I have been trying to read up on quantum foundations after being first introduced to it on this Perimeter Institute page: https://www.perimeterinstitute.ca/research/research-areas/quantum-foundations/more-quantum-foundations However, I have had difficulty finding notes and papers on...
  29. C

    Quantum Intermediate-level QM book aimed on foundational issues

    Hey there! While considering going into foundational issues in QM (reading abou entanglement and Bell's theorems now), I realized I may need a better grasp of QM. I have studied both Griffiths' and Cohen-Tannoudji's (both volumes, excluding the appendices) books. I am not very confident in my...
  30. T

    I New book on the foundations of quantum mechanics

    Some years ago now, I was a regular reader and poster here and had a lot of fun arguing about the meaning of Bell's theorem, the relative merits of different "interpretations" of QM, etc. I just popped in for the first time in a long time, and it is nice to see some familiar faces (and many new...
  31. J

    Gaps in my mathematical foundations

    I'm going to start my first year as a Physics major in University, so I'll be taking first year Physics with one variable Calculus with Linear Algebra. I have taken math up to Calculus but I found that I have some gaps in Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry. Not any serious gaps, I know most of...
  32. Tukhara

    Books on mathematical logic, foundations, and philosophy

    Hello, all. I am looking for some good books to start becoming invested in mathematical logic, the foundations of the field of mathematics, and also basically in general the philosophical heart of this wide subject which has interested me greatly. Now I have already read Shoenfield and Halmos...
  33. D

    Math Foundations -- Sign conventions in this soil pressure graph

    Hey guys, so I stumbled across this, and I'm kinda confused on how do they get the sign convention of the value. I've attached the figure and also the soil pressure for better reference. Take for example at C, how do they get the minus and positive sign convention? Thanks a bunch. P/S : Please...
  34. Gleaner

    Astrophysics Next level up from pop science texts?

    I am looking into self studying astrophysics, but not to an academic professional level. I am at the moment going through the Khan Academy material in maths, physics and astronomy. I am in no hurry to grasp all the material, as my reason for self study is more interest than professional...
  35. N

    B Why is state transition probability symmetric?

    Restricting to finite dimensional QP, suppose a system is in a state S1, an experiment is done, and state S2 is one of the eigenstates (assume all eigenvalues are distinct). The probability that the system transitions from S1 to S2 is p = Trace( S1*S2), using state operator notation. On the...
  36. A. Neumaier

    I Entangled particles in the thermal interpretation

    Ah. It was skepticism about publishing, not about giving a comprehensive account! Yes, I am preparing a book on quantum mechanics, which will contain an account of the thermal interpretation - but primarily to macroscopic, nonrelativistic reality, where it is obvious that it gives the correct...
  37. T

    I Status of CH & Large Cardinals in New Foundations

    Actually, the whole question is in the subject line ) I know that NF refutes AC, so there should be no GCH (is it correct?) But I have no idea about Mahlo, 0# etc.
  38. A. Neumaier

    I The typical and the exceptional in physics

    For properly normalized extensive macroscopic properties (and this includes the center of mass operator), there is such a proof in many treatises of statistical mechanics. It is the quantum analogue of the system size expansion for classical stochastic processes. For example, see Theorem 9.3.3...
  39. F

    Cosmology Physical Foundations of Cosmology by Viatcheslav Mukhanov

    What are the prerequisites to read this book? In the book he stated that there are no GR and QFT knowledge assumed but some people said that it is not true. Can anyone comment on this book? Thanks.
  40. oysterberg

    Studying Sc Neurobiology Student Seeking Scientific Foundations

    Hello everyone, I've never used PF before, so I'm not exactly sure I'm posting in the right place. Anyway, here's what's going on : I'm currently preparing a Master's in neurobiology. I stopped studying sciences (i.e., physics, chemistry, maths) in high school, but somehow managed to catch up...
  41. Parsifal1

    Foundations of Mechanical Engineering (textbook)

    I'm hoping to do a foundation year for mechanical engineering next year, can anyone recommend to get this book in preparation for it?: https://www.waterstones.com/book/foundations-of-mechanical-engineering/anthony-johnson/keith-sherwin/9780412616006 Thanks
  42. A. Neumaier

    I The Heisenberg cut demystified

    That doesn't follow. Selecting a system to study is necessary for most of physics. But it is always a subjective act - since Nature isn't divided into system and the rest of the universe. Most of the time we don't want to consider the universe as a whole but only the particles in a particular...
  43. Ackbach

    MHB Question in Landau's Foundations of Analysis

    So far in Landau, we've covered the following: Axiom 0: The "equals sign" is an equivalence relation (reflexive, commutative, and transitive). Axiom 1: $1$ is a natural number. Axiom 2: For each $x$ there exists exactly one natural number, called the successor of $x$, which will be denoted by...
  44. Telemachus

    What we mean when we talk of foundations of physics?

    I wans't sure on where I should post this question. So, if this place is inappropriate, please move it to a proper section. The question is as its posed in the title of this topic. What we mean by foundations of physics? when someone talks of the foundations of physics, what is he/she talking...
  45. W

    Set Theory, Rough Set Theory, Fuzzy Set Theory

    Hi. I hope this is not too far into philosophy. Set Theory is commonly accepted as the foundations of Mathematics. Is it possible to develop a different type of Mathematics by using Fuzzy sets or Rough sets instead?
  46. Anaxagoras

    Non causally linked events in special relativity

    My question is about foundations of the special relativity theory. In Minkowski's way of presenting special relativity, with a signature "+ - - -", one associates to every couple of events, a spatio-temporal distance which is null on the light cone, positive if the two events are causally...
  47. E

    How To Fix My Weak Physics Foundations?

    Hello PhysicsForums! I am a Physics/Math double major undergraduate junior. I've always loved math, and to study the universe; so I decided to combine both and become a physicist! I did my Gen Phys 1-2 (with Calc) and most of my math at a state college and then I transferred to a university...
  48. Charles Stark

    Foundations of Geometry Reading Suggestions?

    I'm preparing for my Foundations of Geometry Course by self-learning topics before the semester starts. I've been reading Geometry: A Comprehensive Course by Dan Pedoe, and it's covered a lot of good topics. Any online resources you recommend?
  49. bohm2

    New Quantum Foundations Journal

    Not sure if this was posted but I came across a fairly recent online journal specializing on Quantum foundations that some might find interesting: http://www.ijqf.org/wps/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IJQF-flyer1.pdf http://www.ijqf.org/ Some topics issues that will be published/discussed...
  50. R

    The Incompleteness of Mathematics: A Philosophical Inquiry

    I'm getting interested in mathematics because as a philosopher I am upset with the amazingly poor standards of rigor in my field. I am looking to mathematics for guidance. I would like to formalize philosophy and turn it into a deductive science. I have a deep interest in logic so I decided...
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