Abstract: In this talk I will attempt to explain what reverse mathematics is.
When you do mathematics, you start with axioms and prove theorems from them. When you do reverse mathematics, you start with theorems and prove axioms from them. I will elaborate on this cryptic description, and say something about why one would want to do reverse mathematics and what we learn from it.
This talk will be accessible to non-logicians, including graduate students and probably including faculty members.