Storm King welcomed a distinguished guest speaker for an evening of intellectual exploration as Professor Thomas Ryckman, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Stanford University, presented a talk examining the deep and often surprising connections between physics and philosophy. The event was organized by Storm King Trustee Richard Grossman ’79 and attended by students and faculty. The evening also noted a Storm King connection to Stanford, as Science Department Chair Paul Feffer, a Stanford graduate, helped welcome Professor Ryckman to campus.

Professor Ryckman’s presentation challenged the common assumption, often formed by the time students reach high school, that physics and philosophy are mutually exclusive disciplines. Drawing on the history of science, he illustrated how many breakthroughs in physics have emerged from philosophical debates.

Focusing on a pivotal example, Professor Ryckman discussed the early 18th-century dispute between Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz and Isaac Newton over the nature of space. He explained how this debate influenced Albert Einstein in the development of his theory of gravity and continues to resonate in contemporary work on quantum gravity.

The talk concluded with a discussion of the role philosophy plays in sorting through competing ideas in modern cosmology, including questions about the universe’s past, present, and future. The presentation offered students and faculty alike an engaging perspective on how scientific discovery and philosophical inquiry continue to inform one another today.

Storm King extends its sincere thanks to Professor Ryckman for sharing his expertise with the school community and to Mr. Grossman for supporting this enriching evening.