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

137 | Justin Clarke-Doane on Mathematics, Morality, Objectivity, and Reality

Mar 8, 2021

Justin Clarke-Doane, an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Columbia University, explores the unexpected relationship between mathematics and morality. He argues that both fields grapple with objectivity and reality, despite their apparent differences. The discussion dives into the complexities of moral objectivity, the nature of mathematical truths, and intriguing concepts like the mathematical multiverse. By examining the philosophical links between ethical reasoning and mathematical principles, Clarke-Doane reveals surprising parallels that challenge conventional wisdom in both domains.

01:32:50

Episode guests

Justin Clarke-Doane

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Quick takeaways

The podcast explores the complex parallels between mathematics and morality, highlighting how both realms grapple with concepts of reality and objectivity.

Listeners learn that while mathematics is often viewed as definitive, it too shares subjective complexities, much like moral judgments that provoke ongoing philosophical debate.

The episode emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary dialogue in philosophy, suggesting that connecting fields like ethics and mathematics can lead to richer insights into human thought.

Deep dives

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Intro

4min

Mathematics and Morality: Philosophical Connections

16min

Exploring Truth and Theoremhood in Mathematics

2min

Understanding Logic and Mathematical Truths

18min

Exploring Mathematical Realism and the Multiverse Concept

5min

Reality, Mathematics, and Philosophical Tensions

24min

Exploring the Complexity of Moral Objectivity and Semantics

5min

Ethics and Objective Morality

21min

On a spectrum of philosophical topics, one might be tempted to put mathematics and morality on opposite ends. Math is one of the most pristine and rigorously-developed areas of human thought, while morality is notoriously contentious and resistant to consensus. But the more you dig into the depths, the more alike these two fields appear to be. Justin Clarke-Doane argues that they are very much alike indeed, especially when it comes to questions of “reality” and “objectivity” — but that they aren’t quite exactly analogous. We get a little bit into the weeds, but this is a case where close attention will pay off.

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Justin Clarke-Doane received his Ph.D. in philosophy from New York University. He is currently Associate Professor of philosophy at Columbia University, as well as an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham and Adjunct Research Associate at Monash University. His book Morality and Mathematics was published in 2020.

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