Support for LAist comes from
Audience-funded nonprofit news
Stay Connected
Audience-funded nonprofit news
Listen
Podcasts AirTalk
Tackling philosophy with math, economics and physics
solid blue rectangular banner
()
AirTalk Tile 2024
Nov 19, 2009
Listen 14:49
Tackling philosophy with math, economics and physics
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."
Do scientific theories and theorems hold the key to the meaning of life?
Do scientific theories and theorems hold the key to the meaning of life?
(
Simon & Schuster
)

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."

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."

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.

Credits
Host, AirTalk
Host, Morning Edition, AirTalk Friday, The L.A. Report Morning Edition
Senior Producer, AirTalk with Larry Mantle
Producer, AirTalk with Larry Mantle
Producer, AirTalk with Larry Mantle
Associate Producer, AirTalk & FilmWeek
Associate Producer, AirTalk
Apprentice News Clerk, AirTalk
Apprentice News Clerk, FilmWeek