Philosophy to Physics: What's the relevance?

[Splat]

Hi everyone, this is my first post here, and I felt like this thread may break the ice and to share my research and academic interests.

Abstract: I'm currently a sophomore in high school, and I've always had an interest in physics since I was in about sixth grade. Now, since I'm taking a physics class in my school, I'm starting to develop a better niche for it and develop my concentrations in physics, and I've narrowed them down to quantum mechanics, nuclear physics, and astrophysics (even though that's still very broad!) When I do reach college, I want to dual-major in physics and psychology and minor in philosophy, or a minor in psychology and a dual-major in philosophy and physics. I'm leaning more towards the latter so I can have a more philosophical and fundamental view on my physics interests (such as quantum physics). I plan to complete graduate school with a Ph.D. and teach at the university or college level.

Question: Do you think this is a "wise" plan? Suggestions on different concentrations in general? Any other questions, suggestions, comments, concerns?

Thanks everyone!

 

[niklaus]

Considering the fact that you are still in high school, you probably shouldn't be too worried about specialising. You will probably find out that the different fields of physics are not what you now think they are, as popular accounts tend to be misleading. You will have a much better idea of what you want to specialise in after having taken a few physics courses at university level.

As for the connection to philosophy, I do know a few people who did both physics and philosophy in college, and I met some physicists who like to talk about the philosophical implications of the laws of physics. However you will find that no physics research is influenced in a substantial way by philosophy. The more speculative physics research is based on mathematics, not philosophy. The other way around might be more interesting, being a philosopher with a physics slant.

Double majoring in psychology seems rather unusual to me, I don't really see what the two fields have in common.

Just keep up your interests and don't worry too much about making any decisions yet.

 

[nlsherrill]

Hi everyone, this is my first post here, and I felt like this thread may break the ice and to share my research and academic interests.

Abstract: I'm currently a sophomore in high school, and I've always had an interest in physics since I was in about sixth grade. Now, since I'm taking a physics class in my school, I'm starting to develop a better niche for it and develop my concentrations in physics, and I've narrowed them down to quantum mechanics, nuclear physics, and astrophysics (even though that's still very broad!) When I do reach college, I want to dual-major in physics and psychology and minor in philosophy, or a minor in psychology and a dual-major in philosophy and physics. I'm leaning more towards the latter so I can have a more philosophical and fundamental view on my physics interests (such as quantum physics). I plan to complete graduate school with a Ph.D. and teach at the university or college level.

Question: Do you think this is a "wise" plan? Suggestions on different concentrations in general? Any other questions, suggestions, comments, concerns?

Thanks everyone!

I know 1 person in the physics major at my university that is dual majoring in philosophy, and he is just doing it because he finds it interesting. If one were to due physics, then usually mathematics or engineering are typical second majors.

I am assuming(and it seems from your post), that you intend on doing physics for graduate studies. If this is the case and you plan on not going any further with psychology or philosophy, then double majoring with either of them wouldn't be of any use for getting into graduate school. Furthermore, you aren't going to be talking about physics in philosophy or psychology to any depth that you wouldn't in a physics course. I have taken 2 philosophy courses that did actually cover stuff like Heisenberg's principle, and Isaac Newton's "problem of the planets", but most philosophy courses(and certainly almost all if not all psychology courses) will not cover this material. It is indeed interesting stuff, but if you meet new friends in physics, then more than likely they will like talking about physics and how it has impacted the way we view the world.

Lastly, I was kind of deterred from philosophy when I realized just how subjective every topic seemed to be. It really is pointless arguing with classmates or the teacher about "Justice" or "Is it wrong to kill people" when there is no right answer.