Infinity and boundlessness -- Anaximander's notion of the "apeiron" and its recent interpretation by Rovelli
Dr. Dr. Norman Sieroka (ETH Zürich)

Infinity and boundlessness are important concepts in mathematics and physics. Their historical roots are supposed to be found in the notion of the "apeiron" of the pre-socratic philosopher Anaximander. Recently, Carlo Rovelli wrote a whole monograph on Anaximander, calling him "the first scientist" and claiming modern concepts like quantum fields to be direct "descendents" of the "apeiron". In my talk I will explain and criticize the background of Rovelli's interpretation. By the same token, I will provide an overview over the original usage of the term "apeiron", of how it figures in the first ancient map of the world (which goes back to Anaximander), and of how it relates to the modern concepts of infinity and boundlessness.
(The talk will be given in German.)