Tackling philosophy with math, economics and physics

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Nov. 19, 2009

How can we tell good from evil? Is there a way that we should lead our lives? Such inquiries are typically the realm of philosophers, but Steven Landsburg argues that math, economics, and physics can explain life's big questions. With logic and humor, he uses mathematical analysis to examine arguments for the existence of God, and employs economic methods to determine social responsibility. Steven Landsburg joins Larry Mantle to discuss "The Big Questions."

Simon & Schuster
Do scientific theories and theorems hold the key to the meaning of life?

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Also on this episode

AirTalk Town Hall

Healthcare Reform - The Mandate Debate

On the next AirTalk Town Hall, here in the Crawford Family Forum at KPCC's Mohn Broadcast Center, we'll debate the pros and cons of the individual mandate. Should the government force everyone to buy health insurance? How would that work? Who will pay for it? And is this the best strategy to achieve universal health coverage?

Wed., March 24th, at 6:30 p.m

The event is free and open to the public. RSVP: airtalk@kpcc.org.
Click here for more info

Guest:

Steven Landsburg, author of "The Big Questions: Tackling the Problems of Philosophy with Ideas from Mathematics, Economics, and Physics (Free Press). He is a Professor of Economics at the University of Rochester, and writes the "Everyday Economics" column for Slate.

rich in Palms
3 months, 4 weeks ago

I have yet to understand why numbers are not a concept. As I understand it, the existence of the number one is an assumption. Having one of anything requires a boundary between it and everything else. This works conceptually (it is arguably the basis of our consciousness), but this boundary seems arbitrary in the real world, both in space and time.
From my point of view, this arbitrary separation of reality is the basis of a fundamental paradox -- things are the same and not the same, equivalently, and numbers only apply after one decides where to draw the arbitrary boundary.

Derrick
3 months, 4 weeks ago

Would it be good for everyone if we through all of our money away?

rich in Palms
3 months, 4 weeks ago

Yeah, or just randomly steal it from people and throw it away. Its all about values, really, isn't it, rather than effect?

Bob
3 months, 4 weeks ago

Prof Landsberg missed a very important point in discussing the morality of counterfitting. If I counterfit a $100 bill and give it to someone in exchange for $100 worth of goods I have directly cheated that person-- I have given him something of no value and taken something of value from him (or her). Counterfitting is circumventing a system of exchange that has been agreed upon by a society. Money is just a system of value for value.

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