Options For Proofs: New Perspectives on Propositional Logic. Philosophers and logicians recognise that proof is important, but they do not agree on what proofs are. Recent research in logic has greatly expanded our notion of proof, but this research is not unified. We need a coherent, general and applicable concept of proof. This project will unify the literature on proof and bring these insights to bear in the philosophy of language. It will show how proof can help analyse many features of ....Options For Proofs: New Perspectives on Propositional Logic. Philosophers and logicians recognise that proof is important, but they do not agree on what proofs are. Recent research in logic has greatly expanded our notion of proof, but this research is not unified. We need a coherent, general and applicable concept of proof. This project will unify the literature on proof and bring these insights to bear in the philosophy of language. It will show how proof can help analyse many features of language (more than just logical constants) but that the role of inference does not justify one kind of proof in preference to others.Read moreRead less
Complexity in Algebra and Algebra in Complexity: the role of finite semigroups and general algebra. Algebra and logic form the mathematical framework for expressing and analysing algorithms and their difficulty. We can then scientifically analyse what makes some tasks more difficult than others. This project unifies parallel areas of algebra to focus on two key topics at this interface between algebra and computational complexity. As a flow on, our work can uncover new algorithms for solving ....Complexity in Algebra and Algebra in Complexity: the role of finite semigroups and general algebra. Algebra and logic form the mathematical framework for expressing and analysing algorithms and their difficulty. We can then scientifically analyse what makes some tasks more difficult than others. This project unifies parallel areas of algebra to focus on two key topics at this interface between algebra and computational complexity. As a flow on, our work can uncover new algorithms for solving constraint problems and for the study of formal languages.
With a team of top international researchers developing new interactions between mathematics and the study of algorithms, the project will foster a culture of innovation and bring Australia into the play in this internationally competitive area.Read moreRead less
The geometry of impossible, or contradictory objects and its applications to computing and cognition. The principal aim is pure research, the increase of knowledge within the Theory of Inconsistency and particularly its mathematical aspects, to be available to the national and world community. Additionally, a new stock of hitherto-unseen images (still, moving and three-dimensional) will be constructed in a virtual reality environment. In addition to enhancing Australia's strong reputation in log ....The geometry of impossible, or contradictory objects and its applications to computing and cognition. The principal aim is pure research, the increase of knowledge within the Theory of Inconsistency and particularly its mathematical aspects, to be available to the national and world community. Additionally, a new stock of hitherto-unseen images (still, moving and three-dimensional) will be constructed in a virtual reality environment. In addition to enhancing Australia's strong reputation in logic, there are spin-offs for mathematics, cognitive science, computer studies, and the arts and entertainment industries.Read moreRead less
Paraconsistent Foundations of Mathematics. In the English-speaking world, Australia is already the most prominent centre for paraconsistent research, known for development of radical new ideas advanced here in the last few decades. The program is ready to mature into its next phase, making important and lasting contributions to logic, philosophy, and mathematics. The Australian academy will derive international recognition for impressive new mathematics, and innovative philosophical explanations ....Paraconsistent Foundations of Mathematics. In the English-speaking world, Australia is already the most prominent centre for paraconsistent research, known for development of radical new ideas advanced here in the last few decades. The program is ready to mature into its next phase, making important and lasting contributions to logic, philosophy, and mathematics. The Australian academy will derive international recognition for impressive new mathematics, and innovative philosophical explanations of truth and proof. Read moreRead less
Rationality and Resource Bounds in Logics for Intentional Attitudes. Formal philosophy is the discipline at the interface between traditional philosophy and modern mathematical logic. It has had a substantial impact in recent years and has benefited neighbouring disciplines, including computer science and artificial intelligence. It is a good example of how philosophical research can interact with more practical disciplines. This project will make substantial contributions to formal philosophy, ....Rationality and Resource Bounds in Logics for Intentional Attitudes. Formal philosophy is the discipline at the interface between traditional philosophy and modern mathematical logic. It has had a substantial impact in recent years and has benefited neighbouring disciplines, including computer science and artificial intelligence. It is a good example of how philosophical research can interact with more practical disciplines. This project will make substantial contributions to formal philosophy, which will in turn provide benefits in computer science and artificial intelligence, by providing a framework for logicians, computer scientists and researchers in artificial intelligence to discuss issues concerning knowledge, belief and rationality.Read moreRead less
The Objects of Probabilities. Probabilities impact almost every aspect of our lives. Actuaries calculate probabilities of property loss due to bushfires, while climatologists warn that such probabilities will increase alarmingly. Probabilities abound in engineering, medicine, the law, the sciences and social sciences, and much philosophy. Yet we lack a proper understanding of the kinds of things that receive probabilities: the objects of probabilities. This project will provide such understandin ....The Objects of Probabilities. Probabilities impact almost every aspect of our lives. Actuaries calculate probabilities of property loss due to bushfires, while climatologists warn that such probabilities will increase alarmingly. Probabilities abound in engineering, medicine, the law, the sciences and social sciences, and much philosophy. Yet we lack a proper understanding of the kinds of things that receive probabilities: the objects of probabilities. This project will provide such understanding. It will rethink the foundations of probability and decision theory, with potential ramifications for the philosophy, science, and public policy that are based on these theories. It thus aims to strengthen Australia's research profile and international standing in these areas.Read moreRead less
Permanents, permutations and polynomials. The benefits to Australia of fundamental research in core disciplines such as mathematics are well documented. Discrete mathematics and combinatorics are boom disciplines of the computer age and this project seeks new knowledge concerning basic building blocks of combinatorial mathematics. The outcomes will be of interest to theoreticians around the world, enhancing Australia's already high research profile in this crucial area. Importantly, the project ....Permanents, permutations and polynomials. The benefits to Australia of fundamental research in core disciplines such as mathematics are well documented. Discrete mathematics and combinatorics are boom disciplines of the computer age and this project seeks new knowledge concerning basic building blocks of combinatorial mathematics. The outcomes will be of interest to theoreticians around the world, enhancing Australia's already high research profile in this crucial area. Importantly, the project also offers substantial postgraduate training in mathematics, an area in which Australia has an identified skill shortage.Read moreRead less
The Structure and Geometry of Graphs. Graphs are ubiquitous mathematical structures that model relational information such as information flows, transportation networks, and biochemical pathways. It is often desirable to have a geometric representation of a graph. For example, a programmer will better understand a computer program if the flow of information within the program is represented by a visually appealing drawing. The focus of the project will be the interplay between graph structure th ....The Structure and Geometry of Graphs. Graphs are ubiquitous mathematical structures that model relational information such as information flows, transportation networks, and biochemical pathways. It is often desirable to have a geometric representation of a graph. For example, a programmer will better understand a computer program if the flow of information within the program is represented by a visually appealing drawing. The focus of the project will be the interplay between graph structure theory and geometric properties of graphs. Moreover, the project will have significant applications to other area of mathematics and computer science, including computational complexity, analysis of data structures, and three-dimensional information visualisation.Read moreRead less
Analysis of the structure of latin squares. The benefits to Australia of fundamental research in core disciplines such as mathematics are well documented. Discrete mathematics and combinatorics are boom disciplines of the computer age and this project seeks new knowledge concerning basic building blocks of combinatorial mathematics. The outcomes will be of interest to theoretical discrete mathematicians around the world, enhancing Australia's already high research profile in this important area ....Analysis of the structure of latin squares. The benefits to Australia of fundamental research in core disciplines such as mathematics are well documented. Discrete mathematics and combinatorics are boom disciplines of the computer age and this project seeks new knowledge concerning basic building blocks of combinatorial mathematics. The outcomes will be of interest to theoretical discrete mathematicians around the world, enhancing Australia's already high research profile in this important area of pure mathematical research. Importantly, the problems under investigation offer substantial opportunity for excellent postgraduate training, critical for the future of Australian research. Read moreRead less
Cycle decompositions of graphs. The benefits to Australia of fundamental research in core disciplines such as mathematics are well documented. This project aims to solve long-standing and significant open problems in the field of mathematics known as graph theory. Solving such problems will undoubtedly bring Australian research in this field to the fore, and help to enhance Australia's international research profile generally. The project offers substantial postgraduate training in the form of t ....Cycle decompositions of graphs. The benefits to Australia of fundamental research in core disciplines such as mathematics are well documented. This project aims to solve long-standing and significant open problems in the field of mathematics known as graph theory. Solving such problems will undoubtedly bring Australian research in this field to the fore, and help to enhance Australia's international research profile generally. The project offers substantial postgraduate training in the form of three excellent PhD projects in discrete mathematics. The computer age has ensured that this is a booming discipline and an increasing component of undergraduate syllabi around the world. It is thus a crucial area in which to be providing quality research training.Read moreRead less