Sander Pouliart

Sander Pouliart is a PhD student in Philosophy and Moral Sciences under the supervision of prof. dr. Bart van Kerkhove. He obtained bachelor’s (2022) and master’s (2023) degrees in philosophy from the University of Antwerp, after which he graduated from the interuniversity Research Master of the University of Antwerp, Ghent University and Vrije Universiteit Brussel (2025). After graduating, he worked at VUB as a researcher on the social epistemology of mathematics, before becoming a doctoral student as an FWO fellow. 

Sander’s research interests concern the philosophy of mathematics, epistemology, and metaphysics. Throughout his studies, he has focused on the topic of mathematical platonism. While his earlier research focused on metaphysical platonism and the accompanying epistemological problems, his current project focuses on methodological platonism or working realism. This project aims to strengthen our understanding of the methodological platonism which is often ascribed to mathematicians by studying it as disposition which has its origins in mathematical practice. By analysing the practices of working mathematicians, his aim is to provide a more nuanced and better supported theory of the disposition of mathematicians towards their field.