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81A Defense of Strict FinitismConstructivist Foundations 7 (2): 141-149. 2012.Context: Strict finitism is usually not taken seriously as a possible view on what mathematics is and how it functions. This is due mainly to unfamiliarity with the topic. Problem: First, it is necessary to present a “decent” history of strict finitism (which is now lacking) and, secondly, to show that common counterarguments against strict finitism can be properly addressed and refuted. Method: For the historical part, the historical material is situated in a broader context, and for the argume…Read more
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28Why the largest number imaginable is still a finite numberLogique Et Analyse 42 (165-166). 1999.
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29Classical arithmetic is quite unnaturalLogic and Logical Philosophy 11 (n/a): 231-249. 2003.It is a generally accepted idea that strict finitism is a rather marginal view within the community of philosophers of mathematics. If one therefore wants to defend such a position (as the present author does), then it is useful to search for as many different arguments as possible in support of strict finitism. Sometimes, as will be the case in this paper, the argument consists of, what one might call, a “rearrangement” of known materials. The novelty lies precisely in the rearrangement, hence …Read more
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14Petite philosophie de l'Art Royal: Analyse de I’alchimie franc-maçonne (review)Process Studies 45 (2): 282-285. 2016.
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26Metadebates on science: the blue book of 'Einstein meets Magritte' (edited book)Kluwer Academic. 1999.How do scientists approach science? Scientists, sociologists and philosophers were asked to write on this intriguing problem and to display their results at the International Congress `Einstein Meets Magritte'. The outcome of their effort can be found in this rather unique book, presenting all kinds of different views on science. Quantum mechanics is a discipline which deserves and receives special attention in this book, mainly because it is fascinating and, hence, appeals to the general public…Read more
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1In Defence of Discrete Space and TimeLogique Et Analyse 38 (150-1): 127-150. 1995.In this paper several arguments are discussed and evaluated concerning the possibility of discrete space and time.
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39Feng Ye. Strict Finitism and the Logic of Mathematical ApplicationsPhilosophia Mathematica 24 (2): 247-256. 2016.
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Een verdediging van het strikt finitismeAlgemeen Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Wijsbegeerte 102 (3): 164-183. 2010.
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Van gebroken orde naar herstelde fragmenten. Enkele bedenkingen bij Leo Apostels recente publicatiesde Uil Van Minerva 10. 1994.
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76The Collatz conjecture. A case study in mathematical problem solvingLogic and Logical Philosophy 14 (1): 7-23. 2005.In previous papers (see Van Bendegem [1993], [1996], [1998], [2000], [2004], [2005], and jointly with Van Kerkhove [2005]) we have proposed the idea that, if we look at what mathematicians do in their daily work, one will find that conceiving and writing down proofs does not fully capture their activity. In other words, it is of course true that mathematicians spend lots of time proving theorems, but at the same time they also spend lots of time preparing the ground, if you like, to construct a …Read more
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Non-Realism, Nominalism and Strict Finitism the Sheer Complexity of It AllPoznan Studies in the Philosophy of the Sciences and the Humanities 90 343-365. 2006.
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Vrije Universiteit BrusselRegular Faculty
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Ghent UniversityRegular Faculty
Areas of Specialization
Logic and Philosophy of Logic |
Philosophy of Mathematics |