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James Madison University Professor to Lecture at W&L on May 4

Tracy Lupher, professor of philosophy and religion at James Madison University, will give a lecture at Washington and Lee University on May 4 at 4:30 p.m. in Huntley 327.

The title of Lupher’s lecture, which is free and open to the public, is “Is Time Travel Possible?” His talk will consider philosophical views on time travel and its connections with relativity theory.

Lupher’s work focuses on the philosophy of physics along with related issues in the philosophy of science and metaphysics. He is also interested in logic, the philosophy of language and analytical philosophy.

He is the co-founder and co-director of the Logic and Reasoning Institute at J.M.U. which promotes the study of logic and reasoning. Lupher was the winner of the Clifton Memorial Prize for 2008 in the philosophy of physics.

Lupher has authored and coauthored articles on the philosophy and history of quantum field theory, causation and the implications of different logical frameworks. Selected publications include “Quantum Theory: Von Neumann vs. Dirac,” (2011), in “Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy;” “A Logical Choice: The Role of Modal Logics in the Modal Ontological Argument,” (2011), in “Southwest Philosophy Review;” and “A Physical Critique of Physical Causation,” (2009), in “Humana Mente.”

Lupher received his B.A. in philosophy, his B.S. in physics, his B.S. in mathematics and his M.A. and Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Texas at Austin. He also received his M.A. in history and philosophy of science from the University of Pittsburgh.
The Philosophy Department is sponsoring the lecture with the support of the Spring Term Course Enhancement Fund.