Between Doubt and Trust - 

Mathematics, Computer Science, and Dealing with Uncertainty

Believe those who seek the truth, and doubt those 

who have found it.

—André Gide 

Our times seem to be dramatically affected by a crisis of trust. This is evident not least in the growing concern about the stability of the democratic community and in the rise of populist and extremist forces, but also in widespread skepticism about the effectiveness of modern conventional medicine or in the protests of a “last generation” that no longer trusts political leaders to effectively tackle the looming climate catastrophe. 
In this complex situation, mathematics and computer science play very different roles. On the one hand, the objectivity and reliability of a “thoroughly calculated and verified” solution can strengthen fundamental trust in a socially stable order; on the other hand, the arguments of mathematics and the algorithms of computer science—beyond a certain level—are completely incomprehensible to most people, and thus doubt may remain regarding the integrity of the experts responsible for these opaque calculations. 
The ambivalent function of these two disciplines in the tension between doubt and trust will be discussed in the Rome seminar, guided by the following topics and questions:

• On what is trust in the validity of mathematical proofs and the error-free functioning of algorithms based, and to what extent is it justified?
• How did debates about the foundations of mathematics unfold, for example, at the beginning of the 20th century?
• What role do so-called social media (“anti-social networks”) play in the dwindling trust in the functioning of states?
• Is the “modeling cycle”—widely discussed in the field of mathematics education—perhaps conceived a bit too naively after all?
• What role can images and videos still play as evidence of facts against the backdrop of computer-generated “deep fakes”?
• What role does methodological doubt (Descartes) play in the development of modern exact sciences; is the principle of falsifiability of their results a reason for doubt or, rather, for trust in their method?
• What are the philosophical positions that fundamentally doubt the scientific knowability of the world (skeptical positions from antiquity to the present)?

These and other topics will be addressed in the Rome seminar, depending on the participants’ interests. It thus offers a unique opportunity to look beyond the boundaries of one’s own field of study and discuss topics of general relevance (in the context of our disciplines). In addition, however, the seminar also focuses on practicing presentation, rhetoric, and discussion within an academic context. 

Over the course of the 2025–26 winter semester, we will first explore and develop the topic through shared readings, short introductory presentations, and discussions. By the end of December, each participant should have identified their own project. This project will ultimately be presented and discussed during our group field trip to Rome (March 1–8, 2026). Through a diverse accompanying program, we will also draw inspiration from places in the “Eternal City” that are not normally accessible to the public. 
A prerequisite for the seminar is a willingness to engage actively with the topic; it is suitable for students starting in their first semester.

Link to the unisono event

All talk is meaningless if trust is lacking. 

- Franz Kafka