Jean Van Bendegem

Jean Paul Van Bendegem is a notable mathematician and philosopher of science, currently serving as a professor at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) in Belgium. Born on March 28, 1953, in Ghent, he has made significant contributions to both mathematics and philosophy.

Education and Academic Career

Van Bendegem obtained his master's degree in mathematics in 1976, followed by a master's in philosophy in 1979. His PhD thesis, completed in 1983 under the supervision of Diderik Batens at Ghent University, focused on finitism and explored topics such as notation systems, number theory, analysis, physics, and logic within a finite empirical framework.1

He has held various administrative roles, including serving as the dean of the Faculty of Arts and Philosophy at VUB. Until his retirement in September 2018, he was the head of the Centre for Logic and Philosophy of Science (CLPS) at VUB.13 He is also an honorary chairman of SKEPP, an organization dedicated to the critical evaluation of pseudoscience.1

Research Interests

Van Bendegem's research primarily revolves around strict finitism, a philosophical stance that emphasizes finite mathematical practices. He is involved in various academic activities, including editing the quarterly magazine Logique et Analyse and representing VUB at the National Centre for Investigations in Logic.124

Contributions

His work has significantly influenced discussions in the philosophy of mathematics and logic. He continues to engage in research despite his retirement, focusing on the implications of finitism and its applications within mathematical practices.45

In summary, Jean Paul Van Bendegem is a prominent figure in both mathematics and philosophy, known for his rigorous approach to finitism and his leadership roles within academic institutions.