geometry, logic, and philosophy
TRANSCRIPT
The Calgary Mathematics & Philosophy Lectures
PATRICIA BLANCHETTE
Professor of Philosophy and Glynn Family Honors Collegiate Chair,University of Notre Dame
THE CASE OF THE PARALLELS POSTULATE
GEOMETRY, LOGIC, AND PHILOSOPHY
One of the most important techniques provided by modern logic is the use
of models to show the consistency of theories. The technique burst onto
the scene in the late 19th century, and had its most important early instance
in demonstrating the consistency of non-Euclidean geometries. This talk
investigates the development of that technique as it transitions from a geometric
tool to an all-purpose tool of logic. Prof. Blanchette argues that the standard
narrative, according to which our modern technique provides answers to
centuries-old questions, is mistaken. Once we understand how modern models
work, she’ll argue, we see important dif erences between the kinds of consistency
claims that would have made sense, e.g., to Kant and the kinds of consistency
claims that we can demonstrate today. We’ll also see some philosophically
interesting shifts, over this time period, in the kinds of things that we take
proofs to demonstrate.
THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021
3:30-5:00PM | VIA ZOOM
In partnership with:Sponsored by:
Free & Open to the Public
Register at: https://go.ucalgary.ca/Math-Phil-2021Lecture_LPRegistration.html
ucalgary.ca/mathphil