Rethinking Cosmology

Paul Steinhardt, Albert Einstein Professor of Physics at Princeton,  will visit Rutgers' Philosophy of Physics Seminar April 19.  This talk will begin by discussing the various reasons why most cosmologists today consider the big bang inflationary cosmology to be the leading, if not proven, theory of the universe.  Then the discussion will turn to explaining why each of these reasons is flawed.  This naturally leads to the question: "What is the alternative?"  Understanding the flaws suggests possible directions to turn.

For a quick background, check out this article: The Inflation Debate.  More background articles will be posted soon on the course webpage.

The talk will take place from 1:00-4:00 PM on Friday, April 19.