In this special time-travel episode of Math, Science, History, Gabrielle steps back into the Enlightenment to interview legendary French mathematician and philosopher Pierre-Simon Laplace. Together, they explore the bold ideas behind his famed thought experiment, Laplace’s Demon, a being capable of predicting the entire past and future of the universe. But how does that vision hold up in the age of quantum mechanics and artificial intelligence?

Through immersive storytelling, direct quotes from Laplace’s writings, and modern scientific context, this episode invites listeners to examine the nature of certainty, probability, free will, and machine intelligence, and ask the ultimate question:

Is AI today the digital version of Laplace’s Demon?

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

How Laplace envisioned a fully deterministic universe—and why he believed uncertainty was only a matter of ignorance.

How chaos theory and quantum mechanics challenged that deterministic view.

Why today’s artificial intelligence reflects both the dreams and the limits of Laplace’s Demon.

📘 A Philosophical Essay on Probabilities (English translation):
https://archive.org/embed/aphilosophicale00laplgoog

🌐 Brief biography and overview from Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy:
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/laplace/

🔗 Explore more on our website: mathsciencehistory.com
📚 To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h

🌍 Let’s Connect!

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Selections from The Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers

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Episode Overview

In this episode of Math, Science, History, host Gabrielle Birchak unpacks the deep connection between math and logic. From the foundations of reasoning to Euclid’s cookie-themed proof of infinite primes and the mind-bending Russell's Paradox, you’ll explore how logic shapes the very core of mathematics. Whether you're a math lover, teacher, or curious thinker, this episode will challenge the way you see numbers and arguments.

What You’ll Learn:

- Why logic is the foundation of all mathematical proof and reasoning.

- The clever logic behind Euclid’s timeless proof of infinite prime numbers.

- How paradoxes like Russell’s exposed the limits of early set theory and reshaped modern math.

Links & Resources:

An Introduction to Mathematical Logic by Richard E. Hodel
This book offers a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental concepts of mathematical logic, making it suitable for beginners and those looking to solidify their understanding.

Proofs and Refutations by Imre Lakatos
Presented as a series of dialogues, this classic work explores the philosophy of mathematics and the process of mathematical discovery, challenging readers to think critically about proofs and the evolution of mathematical ideas.

The Laws of Thought by George Boole
This seminal work lays the foundation for Boolean algebra, delving into the relationship between logic and mathematics, and is essential reading for those interested in the logical structures underpinning mathematical reasoning.

Introduction to Mathematical Logic by Elliott Mendelson
Renowned for its clarity and depth, this text covers various aspects of mathematical logic, including set theory and computability, and is highly recommended for those seeking a rigorous exploration of the subject.

Logic: A Very Short Introduction by Graham Priest
This concise guide provides an engaging overview of logic, touching upon its philosophical implications and practical applications, making it a great starting point for listeners new to the topic.

Explore more on our website: mathsciencehistory.com

To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h

Let’s Connect!

Enjoying the Podcast?

If you love Math, Science, History, here’s how you can help:
Leave a review – It helps more people discover the show!
Share this episode with friends & fellow history buffs!
Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform

☕ Support the Show

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Music: All music is public domain and has no Copyright and no rights reserved.
On Matters of Consequence from The Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers

Until next time, carpe diem!

🔎 Episode Overview

In this episode I explore the fascinating world of Boolean logic, from its 19th-century origins with George Boole to its modern-day applications in artificial intelligence, search engines, and even board games. Learn how simple logical operators like AND, OR, and NOT have shaped computer science—and how you can use these same tools to win at the classic mystery game Clue.

Visit us at MathScienceHistory.com to get a ClueLogic Tracking Sheet and Cheat Sheet to help you play smarter, faster, and more strategically. Whether you're a logic lover, a game-night champion, or just curious about how abstract math became the language of machines, this episode is for you.

🧠 What You’ll Learn:

- The history and evolution of Boolean logic

- How Claude Shannon brought Boolean logic into circuit design

- How logic gates led to the rise of computers

- How to apply Boolean logic to everyday thinking and decision-making

- Boolean-based strategies to win at Clue (yes, including XOR and IF-THEN!)

🔗 Explore more on our website: mathsciencehistory.com
📚 To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h

🌍 Let’s Connect!

Website: mathsciencehistory.com
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mathsciencehistory.bsky.social
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/math.science.history

🎧 Enjoying the Podcast?

If you love Math, Science, History, here’s how you can help:
🌟 Leave a review – It helps more people discover the show!
📢 Share this episode with friends & fellow history buffs!
🔔 Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform

☕ Support the Show: Coffee!! https://shorturl.at/bHIsc

🛍 Checking out our merch: https://www.mathsciencehistory.com/the-store

🎵 Music: All music is public domain and has no Copyright and no rights reserved.
Selections from The Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers

Until next time, carpe diem!