Abstract.
The role of geometry in physics underwent a significant shift from Newton to Einstein. While Newton considered geometry as an a priori and fixed framework to describe the physical world, Einstein challenged this view and emphasized the importance of linking geometry to physical experiments and operational definitions. This led to the development of Einstein's "practical geometry", which played a crucial role in the development of his theory of general relativity. As we transition to the quantum domain, the questions of how to think about geometry and its ontological status become even more pressing. Can we evolve beyond Einstein's practical geometry? What is the relationship between geometry and the quantum theory of matter? These questions are at the forefront of my research. By examining alternative theories of geometry, such as spectral geometry, we can uncover fresh insights into the ontological status of geometry and its relationship with physical concepts. In this talk, I aim to critically evaluate Einstein's practical geometry and probe new ways of conceptualizing geometry in the quantum realm.
(The slides will be available here)