Mathematical Metaphysics Institute

The Mathematical Metaphysics Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research organization founded and led by Alex Zhu. The institute's ambitious mission is to develop a new branch of mathematics that can do for metaphysics -- the branch of philosophy concerned with the nature of consciousness, the relationship between mind and matter, and the nature of identity -- what calculus did for natural philosophy. The institute considers it plausible that the metaphysical insights necessary for this are already implicitly understood in the mystical traditions of the world religions, and that the time is ripe for formalizing them. The institute's approach centers on taking dependent origination, the central metaphysical concept in Buddhism, to its logical conclusion, and formalizing these insights in the language of category theory, a branch of mathematics that has been described as the "primordial ooze" of mathematical structures. The work draws inspiration from mathematician David Spivak's theoretical work and the observation that many of Hegel's core metaphysical ideas have already been formalized in category theory. The institute's research spans three core areas. First, complex systems foundations, addressing philosophical bottlenecks in modeling ecosystems, economies, and climate systems. Second, science and consciousness, developing rigorous frameworks for consciousness studies and reconciling scientific and religious perspectives. Third, trustworthy AI, creating mathematical foundations for evaluating truth and goodness across different perspectives, which the institute sees as essential for building AI systems that do not merely reflect programmer biases. The institute operates three main programs: an Academic Grants Program funding research on Eastern spiritual traditions within academic contexts, including work on near-death experiences and Buddhist meditation states; an Educational Materials program creating accessible introductory resources; and a Research Consulting program. In its most recent filing, total program expenses were approximately $204,787, with academic grants constituting the largest share at $162,120. Alex Zhu, the founder and president, placed 1st in the 2012 USA Math Olympiad and 15th in the 2012 Putnam Competition. He attended MIT before co-founding AlphaSheets, a startup that secured over $5 million in funding before being acquired by Google. He has focused full-time on AI alignment since 2017 and contributes to AI alignment grantmaking through Jaan Tallinn's Survival and Flourishing Fund. From 2022 to 2024, he hosted retreats with respected AI alignment thinkers exploring the relevance of religion and spirituality to alignment research. The institute's team includes advisors David Spivak, Shinzen Young, and Ammar Amonette; research staff Mark Miller and Alexander Siegenfeld; research affiliates Lars Sandved-Smith and B. Scot Rousse; and media lead Lucas Perry. The board of directors consists of Alex Zhu, Blake Borgeson, and Jerry Sun. The Mathematical Metaphysics Institute has received funding from the Survival and Flourishing Fund, including $260,000 in the 2024 round and a $235,000 speculation grant in the 2025 round, both from Jaan Tallinn for general support.