Robinson's Podcast

92 - Joan Bagaria: What Is Set Theory?


Listen Later

Joan Bagaria is ICREA Research Professor in the Department of Experimental Sciences and Mathematics at the University of Barcelona. He is a mathematical logician who works in set theory, which is the branch of mathematics that not only specializes in the investigation of infinity but serves as the foundation for the rest of mathematics—what this means, and its implications, are explored in the episode. Joan and Robinson discuss all things set theory, beginning with its origins in the mind of Georg Cantor, its development in the 20th century, some philosophical questions, and some current outstanding problems. They also briefly touch on Catalan independence, a topic dear to Joan’s heart.

Joan’s Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/BagariaJoan⁠
Set Theory: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/set-theory/
The Early Development of Set Theory: https://plato.stanford.edu/cgi-bin/encyclopedia/archinfo.cgi?entry=settheory-early
OUTLINE
00:00 In This Episode…
01:01 Introduction
06:18 Joan and Set Theory
09:11 The Development of Set Theory
21:08 Naive Set Theory and Axiomatic Set Theory
30:52 Zermelo-Fraenkel Set Theory with Choice
46:35 Metaphysics and Epistemology
01:03:06 Set Theory as the Foundation of Mathematics
01:09:48 The Continuum Problem
01:16:13 Settling the Continuum Problem
01:35:21 Alternative Set Theories
01:43:37 Alternative Foundations
01:47:53 Catalan Independence
Robinson’s Website: ⁠http://robinsonerhardt.com⁠
Robinson Erhardt researches symbolic logic and the foundations of mathematics at Stanford University. Join him in conversations with philosophers, scientists, weightlifters, artists, and everyone in-between.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Robinson's PodcastBy Robinson Erhardt

  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7

4.7

244 ratings


More shows like Robinson's Podcast

View all
Closer To Truth by Closer To Truth

Closer To Truth

248 Listeners

Robert Wright's Nonzero by Nonzero

Robert Wright's Nonzero

581 Listeners

Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff by Democracy at Work - Richard D. Wolff

Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff

1,975 Listeners

Philosophy For Our Times by IAI

Philosophy For Our Times

301 Listeners

Into the Impossible With Brian Keating by Big Bang Productions Inc.

Into the Impossible With Brian Keating

1,048 Listeners

Future of Life Institute Podcast by Future of Life Institute

Future of Life Institute Podcast

108 Listeners

The Michael Shermer Show by Michael Shermer

The Michael Shermer Show

913 Listeners

Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas by Sean Carroll | Wondery

Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas

4,128 Listeners

Within Reason by Alex J O'Connor

Within Reason

1,558 Listeners

The Origins Podcast with Lawrence Krauss by Lawrence M. Krauss

The Origins Podcast with Lawrence Krauss

507 Listeners

The Jim Rutt Show by The Jim Rutt Show

The Jim Rutt Show

256 Listeners

Useful Idiots with Katie Halper and Aaron Maté by Useful Idiots, LLC

Useful Idiots with Katie Halper and Aaron Maté

4,427 Listeners

Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal by Theories of Everything

Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal

31 Listeners

Book Club with Jeffrey Sachs by Jeffrey Sachs

Book Club with Jeffrey Sachs

129 Listeners

The Chris Hedges Report by Chris Hedges

The Chris Hedges Report

286 Listeners