Past events

Like other scientific fields, mathematics is a collective endeavor. Although the social dimension of mathematics has been mostly neglected in the philosophy of mathematics, it has become a central subject of investigation within the so-called philosophy of mathematical practice.

According to the old narrative, Isaac Newton’s natural philosophy became widely accepted across Europe in a relatively short time span. Recently, historians of science, philosophy, and ideas have begun to question this narrative.

Former head of the CLPS, Jean Paul Van Bendegem, has invited David Crouse of Clarkson University, US, to give a lecture on discrete spacetime.

Explanation and understanding are central topics in the philosophy of science. This discipline has made important developments to account for the role explanations play in scientific activities.

The CLPS will host its fifth Masterclass in the Philosophy of Mathematical Practices on June, 21-23 with Jean Paul Van Bendegem (CLPS, VUB). The lectures by will take place in the mornings, and will be followed by afternoon sessions with presentations by early career researchers in PMP.

On Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 May, professor Juliet Floyd (Boston University) will be teaching a masterclass on Wittgenstein's philosophy of mathematics during the morning hours. In the afternoon, there will be presentations of papers.

The aim of this conference is to investigate the historical, present and future significance and influence of Ludwig Wittgenstein to the Philosophy of Mathematical Practice, bridging the gap between both scholarships.

This small workshop aims to bring together scholars working on formalization and the usage of formal tools. This includes both reflection on formalizations in general and practical work done in different areas.

"Improvisation, interactivity, instability: artistic transformations", by Peter van Bergen  Date: Friday, February 24, 2023  When: 14:00 - 16:00 followed by a reception (at Bar Pilar)  Where: Promotiezaal D.2.01, VUB, Campus Etterbeek.  Please consult this inv...

"Material Ingenuity: John Smeaton's practical methods as an instrument maker, experimental philosopher, and engineer" by Andrew Morris  Date: Thursday, September 29, 2022  When: 14:00 - 16:00 followed by a short reception  Where: Promotiezaal D.2.01, VUB, Campus Et...

"Formal Representation and Mathematical Practice: Capturing Dynamics of Axiomatizations with Methods from Philosophy of Science" by Deniz Sarikaya  Date: Wednesday, September 28, 2022   When: 14:00 - 16:00 followed by a short reception   Where: lokaal E.0

The Centre for Logic and Philosophy of Science (CLPS) of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) will host its Fourth Masterclass in the Philosophy of Mathematical Practice on June, 1–3 with Valeria Giardino (CNRS, Institut Jean Nicod, Paris).  We intend the Masterclass to be a fully interact...