Chiara Marletto
Transdisciplinary explorations at the edge of knowledge…
*Free coffee will be provided*
OCTOBER 6, 2014
3:00pm Room GWC505
“BEYOND INITIAL CONDITIONS AND LAWS
OF MOTION: CONSTRUCTOR THEORY'S
NEW MODE OF EXPLANATION”
Abstract:
Constructor theory is a new physical theory, proposed by David Deutsch, to replace the
prevailing conception of fundamental physics. While the latter explains the world in terms
of its initial conditions and laws of motion, the basic principle of Constructor Theory is
that all fundamental laws of nature are expressible entirely as statements of which tasks
are possible and which are impossible, and why. This new mode of explanation has
been applied to formulate a theory of information within fundamental physics, that
explains the relation between classical and quantum information - so far considered
mysterious. It has also been applied to bring into fundamental physics other concepts
that have been so far considered highly emergent and hence approximate, including life
- specifically self-reproducers (as distinct from mere replicators), the appearance of
design, and knowledge, thereby addressing the long-standing question of whether selfreproduction as it occurs in living things is compatible with no-design laws.
Chiara Marletto is a
quantum physicist at the
Materials Department of
the University of Oxford
and a Junior Research
Fellow at Wolfson College.
After working with Mario
Rasetti at the Politecnico di
Torino, she specialized in
quantum theory of
computation in a doctorate
at Oxford, collaborating
with Artur Ekert and David
Deutsch. She is now
working as a postdoctoral
researcher on a joint
project with Deutsch, about
Constructor Theory.
Beyond Center
650 E Tyler Mall
Tempe, AZ 85287
Goldwater Building
Room: GWC505
deepthought@asu.edu
480-965-7988