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Mind-Body Solution

David Wolpert: Was Mathematics Invented or Discovered?

Oct 25, 2023
David Wolpert, a Professor at the Santa Fe Institute, discusses how humans construct math, the reality of mathematics, inference devices, the limits of consciousness, and the role of math in science. He explores the concept of time, the limits of human intelligence, and the importance of math in understanding one's thoughts.
49:43

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The construction of mathematics involves both randomness and guidance, with individuals exploring different directions and correcting errors or dead ends.
  • Consciousness is considered to be a fiction, reducible to neurobiology and ultimately to physics, challenging traditional notions of a concrete reality beyond mathematics and physics.

Deep dives

Understanding the Construction of Mathematics

The construction of mathematics by humans is a stochastic process that involves trial and error, with individuals exploring different directions and backing up when they find errors or dead ends. This process can be seen at various levels, from the neurobiology and psychology of individuals to the overall phenomenology of mathematical development. Historical examples, such as the development of non-Euclidean geometry and the limitations of automated algorithms, demonstrate how the construction of mathematics involves both randomness and guidance.

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