Dr. John Steel

Biography

John R. Steel is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics at the University of California, Berkeley. He earned his Ph.D. from U.C. Berkeley. Professor Steel's research interests lie primarily in set theory, with a particular focus on Gödel’s program and strengthening the set-theoretic foundations of mathematics through the addition of strong axioms of infinity. He engages with broader philosophical issues surrounding the meaning and evidence of mathematical statements, a topic he addresses in his paper 'Mathematics Needs New Axioms,' published in the Bulletin of Symbolic Logic. In his work, he analyzes questions of meaning and evidence in the context of mathematics, especially in relation to Gödel’s program. Professor Steel actively contributes to discussions on the philosophical implications of mathematical practices and theories.

Research Interests