In this Flashcard Friday episode of Math! Science! History! host Gabrielle Birchak shines a light on the incredible story of Jacoba van den Brande, a seventeenth-century Dutch visionary who dared to imagine a world where women could be educated in mathematics, philosophy, and the sciences. Long before women had access to formal education, Jacoba not only excelled in math herself but also proposed the radical idea of an all-female academy. Join us as we explore her life, her bold vision, and how her ideas still echo through the halls of academia today.

The life and legacy of Jacoba van den Brande and her place in the history of mathematics.

The barriers women faced in 17th-century Europe when pursuing intellectual and academic opportunities.

Why Jacoba’s vision of an all-female academy remains relevant to ongoing conversations about equity and access in education.

Wikipedia entry on Jacoba van den Brande

Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World by Rachel Ignotofsky

“Women and Science Before the Enlightenment” - Journal Article via JSTOR

Simon Stevin: Biography & Contributions

🔗 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

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On Matters of Consequence from The Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers

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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!

Website: mathsciencehistory.com
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🎧 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!
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☕ Support the Show: Coffee!! https://shorturl.at/bHIsc

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🎵 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!

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

If you’d like to support Math, Science, History, consider:
Checking out our merch: https://www.mathsciencehistory.com/the-store

Sponsored By: Coffee!! https://shorturl.at/bHIsc

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!