Episode 6: Mathematical Explanations and Mathematical Truth
FEBREURY, 20 2023
Soroush Marouzi chats with Atoosa Kasirzadeh about the roles of mathematics in empirical sciences. Atoosa argues that mathematics helps us to understand why and how two different descriptions of an empirical phenomenon relate to each other - an explanatory role of mathematics that has not been appreciated by philosophers. Atoosa then tells us about the epistemic concerns that arise when we have more than one scientific model for treating the same phenomenon. She also shares her thoughts on the ontological status of mathematical truth.
Atoosa Kasirzadeh is an assistant professor in the philosophy department and the Futures Institute at the University of Edinburgh. She received her PhD in the history and philosophy of science from the University of Toronto in 2021. She has worked on topics in the philosophy and ethics of data and AI, philosophy of science, and their intersection with political and social philosophy. You can learn more about Atoosa’s works at her personal website
Soroush Marouzi is a doctoral candidate in the history and philosophy of science at the University of Toronto.
Atoosa’s Work Discussed in this Episode:
Music: Reza Nadri
Intro: Ata Heshmati
Producer & Narrator: Shahryar Asqardoust