We are happy to invite you to our open lecture on 12 May 2026 from 2:30 pm to 5:15 pm CET
The open lecture is born to be a safe and friendly space for every student who wants to have a taste of one of our classes. The Master in Philosophy is glad to welcome you with the help of Prof. Tim Maudlin and his lecture “Experimental Phenomena and the Structure of Space and Time”.
Here is the abstract of the lecture:
"The nature of space and time were debated by philosophers since antiquity, and discussions became reinvigorated at the beginning is the Scientific Revolution with arguments made by Galileo, Descartes, and Leibniz. But the situation changed dramatically with Newton’s Principia, especially with the Scholium on Space, Time and Motion that appears after Definition 8. In this lecture, we will consider the positions staked out by Galileo, Descartes (following Aristotle) and Leibniz, and how Newton’s arguments brought a new set of experimental considerations to bear on the questions.”
Open lectures are held on campus for philosophy students and on Zoom for everyone. To attend either in presence or online, please register by filling out the form on this page.
If you choose to attend the lecture remotely, we will send you an email to the Zoom meeting a couple of hours before the event. Alternatively, if you prefer to join us on campus, please arrive 20 minutes early for check‑in.
Master in Philosophy at USI
The Master in Philosophy offered in Lugano by the Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) is a two-year graduate programme designed to provide students with a rigorous and comprehensive education in philosophy. It is one of the most advanced and innovative Master programmes in philosophy worldwide.
The programme is taught entirely in English and focuses on four core areas: Metaphysics, Philosophy of Mind, Logic, Philosophy of Physics.
The programme is characterized by its small class sizes and its emphasis on close interaction between students and faculty. Students can work closely with professors of international stature, both in seminars and in one-on-one tutorials.
Where to find us
The open lecture will take place in the Room "Multiuso" inside the Theology building on the Campus of the Università della Svizzera italiana. The exact address is via Buffi 13, Lugano (Switzerland).
Parking is very limited in the area, so we recommend using public transportation.
You can reach the university from Lugano train station in 8 minutes by taking bus number 6 in the direction of Cornaredo and getting off at the "Università" stop (you can find the bus schedule here).