Robinson's Podcast
Ask Me Anything | July 2024
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Robinson explores the reality of mathematics and its foundational tensions.
- The podcast discusses speech patterns, communication styles, and self-improvement strategies.
- Robinson's research delves into mathematical truth, infinity, and symbolic logic challenges.
- The importance of fiction writing in Robinson's life is highlighted, including a fantasy series.
- Ice cream preferences and cake combinations add a lighthearted element to high-level conversations.
- Robinson's personal growth journey includes therapy-induced empathy and kindness towards others.
Deep dives
Favorite Cake-Ice Cream Pairing
My favorite cake-ice cream pairing would be vanilla ice cream with chocolate cake, as it seems like the ideal combination to me.
Fiction Writing
Fiction writing is the most important part of my life, and I have worked on various forms, including poetry, short stories, novels, and a nonfiction book. Currently, I am engrossed in an epic fantasy series called 'The Shattered Kingdom,' inspired by a lengthy Middle English epic I wrote earlier.
Philosophical Interests
Academically, I am fascinated by questions of mathematical truth, infinity, abstract objects, and issues in logic. Personally, I contemplate metaethics and how to live a consistent life.
Speech Patterns
I have noticed distinct speech patterns among guests and in my own speech, such as using 'good' or 'hmm' as filler words. While trying to improve these habits, I acknowledge that we all have unique ways of communicating.
Future Plans
I aim to re-release and re-edit a 10-volume fantasy series, 'The Book of Lock,' that I wrote under a pseudonym. Additionally, I plan to write papers on topics like mathematical Platonism and zero, inspired by ongoing research interests.
Ice Cream Element in Podcasts
I am open to incorporating an ice cream element into high-level conversations with guests like Sean Carroll or Tim Maudlin if the opportunity arises or if it aligns with listener preferences.
Research on Symbolic Logic
My research involves exploring questions on mathematical truth, infinity, and challenges in symbolic logic, particularly set theory and model theory. Engaging in discussions and classes in these areas informs my investigations.
Changes in Worldview
While my worldview and personality may not have significantly shifted during my studies at Stanford, personal growth from therapy has led to increased kindness towards myself and others, fostering a greater capacity for empathy and caring.
Speech Patterns Origin
Speech patterns, such as the use of 'good' or 'hmm,' could serve as strategic pauses for thought or acknowledgment in conversations. While not exhaustive, varied speech patterns among academics may stem from individual habits and communication styles.
Favorite Flavor of Cake
My favorite flavor of cake is white chocolate raspberry, offering a delightful blend of flavors that I find particularly enjoyable.
Insight into Time and Space
Delving into metaphysical and physical debates on time and space has contributed to my ongoing investigations. The intricacies of spacetime emergence and determinism continue to evoke curiosity and contemplation.
Philosophical Inquiry
Exploring philosophical inquiries on metaethics and lived ethics presents a personal journey towards consistency and integrity in moral beliefs and actions.
Cake-Ice Cream Preferences
Vanilla ice cream paired with chocolate cake is my preferred cake-ice cream combination, striking a harmonious balance between flavors.
Fiction Writing Style
Fiction writing plays a significant role in my life, encompassing poetic works, short stories, novels in various genres, and an ongoing fantasy series influenced by archaic literary forms.
Patreon: https://bit.ly/3v8OhY7
This is the inaugural AMA for Robinson’s Podcast. It is supported by the members of the podcast’s Patreon. In this installment, Robinson answers questions about the reality of mathematics, podcasting, moral facts, ice cream, the nature of time, literary books for neophytes, and more.
Denying Infinity: https://doi.org/10.1080/01445340.2024.2344346
Abstract: Abraham Robinson is well-known as the inventor of nonstandard analysis, which uses nonstandard models to give the notions of infinitesimal and infinitely large magnitudes a precise interpretation. Less discussed, although subtle and original—if ultimately flawed—is Robinson’s work in the philosophy of mathematics. The foundational position he inherited from David Hilbert undermines not only the use of nonstandard analysis, but also Robinson’s considerable corpus of pre-logic contributions to the field in such diverse areas as differential equations and aeronautics. This tension emerges from Robinson’s disbelief in the existence of infinite totalities (any mention of them is ‘literally meaningless’) and the fact that much of his work involves them. I argue that he treats infinitary avenues of mathematics as useful tools to avoid this difficulty, but that this is not successful to the extent that these tools must be justified by a conservative extension from finitary mathematics. While Robinson provides a compelling and unorthodox pragmatic justification for the role of formal systems in mathematical practice despite their apparent infinitary presuppositions, he deflates mainstream mathematics to a collection of games that occasionally produces meaningful results. This amounts to giving up on a commitment to reconciling his finitism with his mathematical practice.
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, and everyone in-between.
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