Gregory Chaitin is a mathematician, an expert of complexity. Already as a young prodigy he contributed greatly to the philosophy of mathematics and computer science. The math- ematician proves that there is not such thing as absolute certainty in mathematics. There are truths that cannot be proven, problems that are impossible to solve. And for him this is a reason for huge optimism. The creativity needed to tackle difficulties is no different than the creativity that nature displays in the incredible imagination of creation. For Chaitin, this analogy is not an accident and proves its validity mathematically.
The meeting with the mathematician and his wife takes place at a small Brazilian island Paqueta, a philosophical haven for the Chaitins.
Pioneers is one and only project devoted to the most unorthodox contemporary thinkers who have had the courage to challenge current paradigms. The emotions of discovering and stress-testing new theories; the passion which prompts one to go against the expectations of others, against the “publish or die” model; the joys and sorrows of exploring frontiers of the known and the unknown - this is what the series is about.
Other completed episodes of the series:
Daniel C Dennett. Do Lobsters Have Free Will?
Artur Ekert. A Model Kit.
Freeman Dyson. Space Dreamer.
Julian Barbour. Bottom’s Dream.
Roy Glauber. The Bomb that Shook the World.
Gregory Chaitin. Against Method.
Charles H. Bennett. A Drinking Bird Mystery.
Support by Centre for Quantum Technologies, National University of Singapore