aboutlogic

aboutlogic is a podcast on logic, foundations of mathematics, philosophy, and theoretical computer science.
aboutlogic features in-depth conversations with people working in and around the foundations of these subjects. We talk about topics ranging from the foundations of computer science and set theory to critical thinking, puzzles, and what academic life is really like—its motivations, frustrations, and surprises.

aboutlogic

Latest episodes

aboutlogic: premises #07 | Fixing Russell’s Paradox: The Birth of ZFC & Constructive Set Theory

aboutlogic: premises #07 | Fixing Russell’s Paradox: The Birth of ZFC & Constructive Set Theory

30m 22s

Fixing Russell’s Paradox: The Birth of ZFC & Constructive Set Theory
How did mathematicians fix Russell’s paradox and save set theory? In this aboutlogic: premises episode, Deniz and Thorsten explore the solutions that reshaped the foundations of mathematics. From Zermelo-Fraenkel (ZFC) axioms to constructive set theories (IZF, CZF). Discover how large cardinals, the continuum hypothesis, and the iterative conception of sets became central to modern set theory and why some mathematicians still prefer type theory for its structural and computational advantages.

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aboutlogic #19 | Homotopy Type Theory, Narya & the Future of Proof Assistants with Mike Shulman

aboutlogic #19 | Homotopy Type Theory, Narya & the Future of Proof Assistants with Mike Shulman

60m 44s

Homotopy Type Theory, Narya & the Future of Proof Assistants with Michael Shulman.
How does homotopy type theory bridge the gap between abstract mathematics and computational proof systems? Mike Shulman (University of San Diego) joins Deniz and Thorsten to discuss his journey from topology to higher observational type theory, the development of the Narya proof assistant, and how these tools are reshaping the way we think about equality, equivalence, and computation in mathematics.

aboutlogic:premises #06 | What Is a Set? A Beginner’s Guide to Set Theory

aboutlogic:premises #06 | What Is a Set? A Beginner’s Guide to Set Theory

27m 17s

What Is a Set? A Beginner’s Guide to Set Theory | aboutlogic: premises #06
In this aboutlogic: premises episode, Deniz and Thorsten explore the foundations of set theory. From Cantor’s groundbreaking ideas to Frege’s logical foundations and Russell’s paradox. Discover how sets evolved from simple collections to a rigorous mathematical framework, and why the power set, well-ordering, and the continuum hypothesis remain some of the most fascinating (and controversial) ideas in math.

aboutlogic #18 | The Hidden History of Logic: Jan von Plato on Gödel, Gentzen & Bernays

aboutlogic #18 | The Hidden History of Logic: Jan von Plato on Gödel, Gentzen & Bernays

62m 52s

aboutlogic #18 | What really happened in the 1930s logic revolution? Jan von Plato (University of Helsinki, ERC Grantee) joins Deniz and Thorsten to uncover the hidden collaborations, misunderstandings, and lost manuscripts that shaped modern logic. From Gödel’s unpublished notes to Gentzen’s lost normalization proof and Bernays’ pivotal role in Hilbert’s school, this episode reveals how the history of logic is far richer—and more interconnected—than we often assume.