Simplicial Actions for Distributed Protocols
Philip Sink (2026). "Simplicial Actions for Distributed Protocols" arXiv
CV
Education
- Ph.D. in Logic, Computation, and Methodology, Carnegie Mellon University. 2026
- M.S. in Logic, Computation, and Methodology, Carnegie Mellon University, 2023
- B.A. in Mathematics/Philosophy, Cornell University, 2020
Areas of Specialization/Concentration
- Areas of Specialization
- Modal Logic
- Mathematical Logic
- Epistemology
- Areas of Concentration
- Philosophy of Computation
- Philosophy of Mathematics
- Philosophy of Science
- American Pragmatism
Work experience
- August 2020-present: PhD Student
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Duties includes: Various teaching and service (see below)
- Planned Graduation: May 2026
- Advisor: Adam Bjorndahl
- Spring 2025: NASA Intern in Topology and Modal Logic
- NASA Langley Research Center
- Duties included: Research into connections between epistemic modal logic and distributed computing.
- Developed a novel gossip protocol by connecting belief revision and action models in the setting of simplicial semantics.
- Supervisor: Dr. Alwyn Goodloe
- Summer 2023: NASA Intern in Topology and Modal Logic
- NASA Langley Research Center
- Duties included: Research into connections between epistemic modal logic and distributed computing, as well as mentoring other interns.
- Developed the basics of a new account of belief revision using simplicial semantics for epistemic modal logic.
- Supervisor: Dr. Alwyn Goodloe
- Summer 2022: NASA Intern in Topology and Modal Logic
- NASA Langley Research Center
- Duties included: Research into connections between epistemic modal logic and distributed computing.
- Developed a new semantics for modal logic in simplicial complexes.
- Supervisor: Dr. Alwyn Goodloe
Publications
Simplicial Semantics for Belief Revision
Philip Sink (2026). "Simplicial Semantics for Belief Revision" arXiv
A Semantics for Belief in Simplicial Complexes
Adam Bjorndahl and Philip Sink (2026). "A Semantics for Belief in Simplicial Complexes" Proceedings of AiML 2026
A New Semantics for Belief Revision in Simplicial Complexes
Philip Sink and Alwyn Goodloe (2026). "A New Semantics for Belief Revision in Simplicial Complexes" NASA Technical Reports Server
A Note on Proper Relational Structures
Adam Bjorndahl and Philip Sink (2025). "A Note on Proper Relational Structures" arXiv
Modal Logic Without Possible Worlds: A New Semantics for Modal Logic in Simplicial Complexes
Philip Sink (2022). "Modal Logic Without Possible Worlds: A New Semantics for Modal Logic in Simplicial Complexes" NASA Technical Reports Server
Talks
A Semantics for Belief in Simplicial Complexes
Contributed Talk at Advances in Modal Logic Conference, Building A of Roeterseiland campus, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
An Implementation of Belief Revision in Simplicial Models for Dynamic Epistemic Logic
Invited Talk at Epistemic Logic and Topological Perspectives on Distributed Computing Workshop, Institut de Recherche en Informatique Fondamentale, Bâtiment Sophie Germain, 8 Place Aurélie Nemours, 75205 Paris
Description Fitting and Alan Turing
Contributed Talk at Pitt-CMU Graduate Student Philosophy Conference, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Description Fitting and Alan Turing
Invited Talk at Pittsburgh Formal Epistemology Workshop, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
A Logic of Belief Revision in Simplicial Complexes
Invited Talk at UPenn Logic and Computation Group, Philadelphia, PA (Zoom)
A Logic of Belief Revision in Simplicial Complexes
Contributed Talk at Topology, Algebra, and Categories in Logic Conference, Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science of the University of Barcelona Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 585. Barcelona, Spain.
Philosophy Then and Now: A Re-Evaluation of Rorty’s Philosophical Pessimism
Invited Talk at APA 2024 Pacific Division Meeting , Portland, OR, USA
Modal Logic Without Possible Worlds
Invited Talk at Homotopy Type Theory Seminar, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Modal Logic Without Possible Worlds
Invited Talk at Pittsburgh Formal Epistemology Workshop, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
A Logical Model of Pluralistic Ignorance
Invited Talk at Pittsburgh Formal Epistemology Workshop, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Teaching
Service
- Philosophy Department Graduate Representative, Carnegie Mellon University, Fall 2024-present
- Served as main point of contact between Philosophy Department faculty and graduate students
- Attended faculty meetings and wrote a monthly report for the graduate students
- Assisted with the selection of colloquium speakers
- Helped ensure various graduate student service positions in the department were filled
- “Minorities and Philosophy” Co-chair, Carnegie Mellon University, Fall 2021-Spring 2024
- Nominated position
- Ran yearly survey of graduate student life in the department
- More information here
- Organizer for “25th Annual Pitt CMU Graduate Conference”, August 2024-March 8th 2025
- Selected Keynote speakers
- Solicited Graduate students to review papers
- Helped select winning submissions
- Organized catering day of
- More information here
- Graduate Admissions Committee 2021, December 2020-February 2021
- Reviewed Applications to the CMU Philosophy Department Masters and PhD programs for the 2021 academic year
- Helped in selecting candidates from first pool of submissions
- Attending meetings for selecting final cohort
Reviewed paper for conference “Theoretical Aspects of Rationality and Knowledge 2025”
Reviewed paper for “Journal of Logic and Computation” in 2022, 2026
- Center for Formal Epistemology Workshop 2022: Learning, Randomness, and Complexity Organizational Assistant
- Helped with broad organizational duties
- Chaired a talk
- More information here