A Story For Humanity — Minhyong Kim on Why Maths Will Never End

About this episode

Professor Minhyong Kim discusses the nature of mathematics and its role in understanding humanity and the laws of nature.

Gauss famously described mathematics as the queen of the sciences. But how should we think of this discipline? Is it an aloof ruler, mysteriously governing the laws of nature? A vital tool for bettering our lot? Or a story that helps us understand nature? Professor Minhyong Kim directs the International Centre for Mathematical Sciences and the Centre for Mathematics for Humanity in Edinburgh. He is an accomplished number theorist — particularly within the field of diophantine equations (the Kim in Chabauty-Kim). And a best-selling author on popular mathematics in Korea.

People in this episode

Host: James Robinson

Guest: Minhyong Kim

Topics covered

• mathematics
• science
• philosophy
• number theory
• diophantine equations
• humanity

Keywords

• mathematics
• Gauss
• number theory
• diophantine equations
• Minhyong Kim
• science
• philosophy

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: International Centre for Mathematical Sciences, Centre for Mathematics for Humanity

Books & works: Chabauty-Kim

Places: Edinburgh

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