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

216 | John Allen Paulos on Numbers, Narratives, and Numeracy

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

00:00

Demystifying Mathematics in Physics

This chapter explores the challenges of teaching complex mathematical concepts in classical physics, emphasizing the importance of context and understanding over memorization. It highlights students’ anxieties with mathematics, particularly in translating word problems into equations, and discusses the philosophical implications of mathematical theories like Gödel's theorem and various infinities. The conversation delves into the relationship between abstract mathematics and its practical applications, illustrating how historical figures shaped our understanding of critical mathematical constants.

Transcript
Play full episode

The AI-powered Podcast Player

Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!
App store bannerPlay store banner
Get the app