INDETERMINACY AND THE
PHILOSOPHY OF MATHEMATICS
SPEAKERS
ABOUT
According to the classical conception in the foundation of mathematics every statement has a determinate truth value, i.e. is either true or false. Until the discovery of independence phenomena, this was the prevalent conception of mathematics and it remains the standard view even today. In fact, Kurt Gödel demonstrated that in every sufficiently strong consistent system there are statements that are independent, i.e., statements that can neither be proven nor disproven within that system. This gave rise to new perspectives in the foundations of mathematics, casting serious doubt on the determinacy of all mathematical statements. The workshop aims at exploring and assessing these new ways of framing foundations beyond the classical conception.
TOPICS
Whereas indeterminacy is understudied in mathematics, it is a well-studied phenomenon in philosophy. This opens up a vast field of significant philosophical questions about the conceptions of indeterminacy in the foundations of mathematics. These include:
- How should we understand determinacy and indeterminacy in mathematics?
- Should determinacy in mathematics be best understood as conceptual, semantic, or metaphysical indeterminacy?
- Can tools developed to handle certain forms of indeterminacy, such as vagueness, in philosophy and logic be fruitfully applied to cases of apparent indeterminacy in mathematics?
- What are the relations between different conceptions of indeterminacy?
- How do categoricity results bear to the question of determinacy and indeterminacy in mathematics?
SCHEDULE
TBA
ATTENDANCE
Attendance is free, but in person only.
To register please fill the form below.
Deadline for registration: 30 April 2026.
VENUE
The conference takes place at the University of Oslo, Department of Philosophy, Classics, History of Art and Ideas, situated in Blindern Campus, building: Geor Morgenstiernes hus.
The conference room is GMH 652. This is the conference room situated at the 6th floor of the department, at the end of the corridor.
How to get to Blindern (Link 1/Link 2)
- Tram: line 17 and 18 towards Rikshospitalet, Stop at Universitetet Blindern (or John Colletts Plass in case of road works).
- Metro (T Bane): line 4 (Vestli via Storo), 5 (Ringen via Storo) 5 (Sognsvann), Stop at Blindern.
ORGANIZERS: Gioia Susanna, Davide Sutto, Sofie Vaas
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT