Charles T. Sebens

Charles T. Sebens is a Professor of Philosophy at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), working within the Division of the Humanities and Social Sciences. He holds a B.S. from MIT (2009), an M.St. from Oxford (2010), an M.S. from the University of Michigan (2013), and a Ph.D. completed in 2015. Prior to joining Caltech in 2018 as an Assistant Professor (promoted to full Professor in 2023), he was an Assistant Professor at the University of California, San Diego.

Sebens specializes in the philosophy of physics, with particular expertise in the foundations of quantum mechanics, classical field theory, and quantum field theory. His research employs tools from metaphysics and epistemology to evaluate competing interpretations of quantum mechanics, including Bohmian mechanics, the many-worlds interpretation, and GRW theory. He also investigates classical field theories of electromagnetism, the Dirac field, and gravity, exploring how these classical theories relate to their quantum counterparts.

His most recent publications reveal a strong focus on electron spin phenomena, field theory fundamentals, and the philosophical implications of quantum mechanics. Sebens has made significant contributions to understanding how classical field theories transition to quantum field theories, particularly regarding electron properties, electromagnetic radiation, and gravitational fields. His work often bridges technical physics with deep philosophical questions about the nature of reality.

• Philosopher's Annual Selection (2016) for 'Quantum Mechanics as Classical Physics'

Sebens has collaborated with prominent physicists including Sean Carroll on the derivation of the Born rule in Everettian quantum mechanics and with Mario Hubert on electromagnetic radiation. His research has been featured in outlets like Scientific American, Aeon, and Caltech News, demonstrating his ability to communicate complex ideas to broader audiences. He teaches courses including Introduction to the Philosophy of Physics, Philosophical Issues in Quantum Physics, and Philosophy Through Science Fiction, connecting abstract philosophical concepts with tangible physical phenomena.