Rothschild Public Lecture: Two cultures separated by a common language

Add to your list(s) Download to your calendar using vCal

• Paul Fendley (University of Oxford)
• Wednesday 08 October 2025, 16:00-17:00
• Seminar Room 1, Newton Institute.

If you have a question about this talk, please contact nobody.

BID - Quantum field theory with boundaries, impurities, and defects

Mathematics and physics have different cultures and are practiced by different tribes. Much invective has been designed to instil tribal loyalty, with pronouncements ranging from “Mathematics is the handmaiden of physics” to “Throughout mathematics, inspiration and the hard work of completing proofs are necessary. No guide from physics can help.” Nonetheless, (metaphorical) Romeos and Juliets are easy to find. Mathematics is at the core of physics, and time and time again, results in physics have proved essential to mathematics.  I’ll argue that there’s no meaningful dividing line between the two disciplines, and that both cultures would be better off if we stopped worrying about maintaining purity. 

This talk is part of the Isaac Newton Institute Seminar Series series.

This talk is included in these lists:

• All CMS events
• Featured lists
• INI info aggregator
• Isaac Newton Institute Seminar Series
• School of Physical Sciences
• Seminar Room 1, Newton Institute
• bld31

Note that ex-directory lists are not shown.