Into the Impossible With Brian Keating

Category Theory: Exploring Mathematics’ Deepest Truths With Eugenia Cheng (#362)

Oct 30, 2023

Eugenia Cheng, renowned mathematician, educator, author, and concert pianist, discusses the profound truths of math, its connection to baking, and its presence in the physical sciences. They explore the concept of zero, the capabilities of the human brain compared to AI, and the importance of revitalizing education.

53:37

Creator website

Episode guests

Eugenia Cheng

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Mathematics is both created and discovered, combining invention and exploration.

To improve education, foster an environment of curiosity, respect genuine questions, and collaborate on finding answers.

Acknowledge the historical context of academic mathematics to promote inclusivity and diversity in education.

Deep dives

Mathematics as a Discoverable Entity

Mathematics is both created and discovered. It is created by humans as a way to understand and talk about the world around us, and it is discovered through exploring the consequences and relationships within mathematical concepts. This false dichotomy of invention versus discovery is best understood as a combination of both processes.

Introduction

4min

Understanding the Role of Mathematics in Physics

11min

Cultural Differences in Numbering Systems and Irritations with the Millennium

2min

Exploring the Unique Abilities of the Human Brain and the Challenges for AI

6min

Recommendation for the 'Jordan Harbinger Show' and Brief Discussion on the Brain and Free Fall

3min

How to Bake Pi: From Food Stories to Abstract Math

27min

Is math real? How to bake pi? And how much is x+y, really?

Many people don't like math because they find it too complicated or boring. But math can actually be a lot of fun, and we can find it everywhere in life, even in the most mundane things like baking. And it is through baking that today's guest, Eugenia Cheng, decided to rid the world of math phobia.

Dr. Cheng is a renowned mathematician, educator, author, and concert pianist. She's a scientist in residence at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where she teaches mathematics to art students. She is an expert in category theory and has recently published a book, Is Math Real?, which we will discuss in detail today!

Join Eugenia and me as we explore mathematics’ deepest truths.

Key Takeaways:

Intro (00:00)
Judging a book by its cover: Is Math Real? (01:10)
On the unreasonable power of mathematics in the physical sciences (04:05)
If there were no physical world, would math exist? (08:14)
The number zero (10:30)
Is our brain a massive computer? (17:04)
How to Bake Pi (22:38)
Category theory (27:07)
How to revitalize and modernize education (39:21)
Is math created or discovered? (45:12)
Outro (49:33)

—

Additional resources:

🥗 Thanks, HelloFresh! Go to HelloFresh.com/50impossible and use code 50impossible for 50% off plus 15% off the next 2 months.

📝 With a MasterClass annual membership, you can take one-on-one classes from the world’s best for $10 a month with your annual membership, get unlimited access to every class — and even better, right now, as an Into The Impossible listener, you can get 15% off when you go to MASTERCLASS.com/impossible.

🧑‍💻 Visit LinkedIn.com/IMPOSSIBLE to post your job for free!

➡️ Check out Eugenia Cheng:

📚 Is Math Real? By Eugenia Cheng: https://a.co/d/j68vZuU

✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrEugeniaCheng/

💻 Website: https://eugeniacheng.com/

➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:

✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating

🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1

📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/mailing_list

✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/blog.php

🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast

—