PUBLICATIONS
Most of my published work can be found below, downloadable from the link [⤓].
OA = open access, through the generosity of the University of Bergen.
Copyright notice: the documents posted here are meant to facilitate timely dissemination of research and are intended exclusively for academic use. By accessing them you implicitly adhere to the terms set up by the copyright holders.BOOKS
Philosophy of Mathematics After Wittgenstein. Cambridge Univ. Press. Forthcoming June 2026.
- Monograph. Ca. 300 p. Table of contents. Publisher website.
''In Philosophy of Mathematics after Wittgenstein, Sorin Bangu takes on the steep challenge of defending – both as a scholarly interpretation and as an independent philosophical position – Wittgenstein's radical claim that all traditional philosophical problems about mathematics can be dissolved or eliminated. To an impressive degree, he succeeds in this, weaving a meticulous, closely argued, patiently defended story of how various tools of 'eliminative normativism' function in seven particular cases, ranging from 2+2=4 to Cantor's theorem.'' (Penelope Maddy)
''In this forthright, engaging book Sorin Bangu pursues the sensible idea that Wittgenstein's thoughts about mathematics should be seen in the light of his radical conception of philosophy. Bangu's perceptive, carefully researched, and well-argued analyses provide a valuable contribution to our understanding of Wittgenstein's philosophy of mathematics.'' (Severin Schroeder)
The Applicability of Mathematics in Science: Indispensability and Ontology. Palgrave Macmillan, 2012.
- Monograph. 252 p. Publisher website. Commissioned to open the series New Directions in the Philosophy of Science
- Table of contents and Introduction. Reviews: Philosophia Mathematica (critical notice), Metascience, International Studies in Philosophy of Science
"In various respects, this book represents an innovative approach that not only tackles a range of well-known but still problematic issues regarding the applicability and indispensability of mathematics, but develops an entirely new position within, and perspective on, these debates." (Steven French)
"This is an interesting and important book. It is essential reading for anyone interested in indispensability arguments for mathematical entities and related debates tied to the role of mathematics in scientific discovery and explanation." (Chris Pincock)
"The book is an inspiring and thought-provoking read, detailing carefully thought-out arguments, insightful explanations, and fascinating, in-depth examples of the role of mathematics in scientific discovery." (Penelope Rush)
EDITORSHIP
I. Volumes
Naturalizing Logico-Mathematical Knowledge: Approaches from Philosophy, Psychology and Cognitive Science. Routledge, 2018.
- Edited volume. 306 p. Publisher website.
- Table of contents and list of contributors. Reviews: Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews, Philosophical Quarterly
"[A] first-rate collection of articles by philosophers and psychologists. Its aim is to draw connections between the two subjects, and in particular, (...) to 'encourag[e] the use of the findings of the sciences of cognition in solving philosophical problems' (p. 3)." (Alexander Paseau)
"There is no questioning the importance of a book like Naturalizing Logico-Mathematical Knowledge." (Markus Pantsar)
Filosofi for Realister. [Collection of texts in Norwegian] Universitetsforlaget, 2017.
- Co-edited volume, w/ Kevin Cahill. 342 p. Publisher website (in Norwegian)
II. Journal special issues
Models, Representation, and Computation. Synthese (In preparation). Co-edited w/ Cyrille Imbert and Vincent Ardourel.
The Explanatory and Heuristic Power of Mathematics. Synthese, 2023. Topical collection. Co-edited w/ Marianna Antonutti-Marfori and Emiliano Ippoliti.
PAPERS (journal articles & chapters in volumes)
Neither / Nor: Wittgenstein’s Normativism and the Contemporary Realism-Nominalism Debate in the Philosophy of Mathematics. In A.C. Paseau (ed.) Blackwell Companion to the Philosophy of Mathematics. Forthcoming.
(w/ Jeffrey Schatz) Wittgenstein on Cantor's Proof. Synthese. Vol. 206, art. 130 (2025). [OA] [⤓]
Wittgenstein on Proof and Concept-Formation. Philosophical Quarterly. 75,1:1–20 (2025) [OA] [⤓]
A Note on “Philosophical Investigations into AI Alignment: A Wittgensteinean Framework” by J.A. Perez-Escobar and D. Sarikaya. Philosophy and Technology. Vol. 37, art. 96 (2024) [⤓] (invited, refereed)
Mind the gap: Noncausal Explanations of Dual Properties. Philosophical Studies. 181: 789–809 (2024) [OA] [⤓]
(w/ Vincent Ardourel) Finite-Size Scaling Theory: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches to Critical Phenomena. Studies in the History and Philosophy of Science 100: 99-106 (2023). In the special issue Models, Unification and Simulations: Essays Inspired by Margaret Morrison. Ed. S. Hartmann. [⤓]
On the Grammar of Mathematical Propositions. In Contributions/Beiträge to International Wittgenstein Symposium 2023: 100 Years of Tractatus LogicoPhilosophicus — 70 Years after Wittgenstein’s Death. A Critical Assessment 6. - 12. Aug 2023. Pp. 29-37. Eds. A. Pichler; E. Heinrich-Ramharter; F. Stadler. Kirchberg am Wechsel (2023) [OA] [⤓]
(w/ Marianna Antonutti-Marfori and Emiliano Ippoliti) The Explanatory and Heuristic Power of Mathematics. Synthese. Vol. 201, art. 154 (2023) Introduction to the eponymous topical collection.
Factivism in Historical Perspective. Understanding the Gravitational Deflection of Light. In Scientific Understanding and Representation: Mathematical Modeling in the Life and Physical Sciences. Eds. I. Lawler, K. Khalifa, E. Shech. Ch. 6, pp. 62-77. Routledge (2022) [⤓]
Phase Transitions. In The Routledge Companion to the Philosophy of Physics Eds. E. Knox and A. Wilson. Ch. 36, pp. 512-23 Routledge (2021) [⤓]
Mathematical Explanations of Physical Phenomena. Australasian Journal of Philosophy 99.4: 669-82 (2021) [⤓]
The Appearance of Skepticism: Possibility, Conceivability and Infinite Ascent. Canadian Journal of Philosophy 51.2:94-107 (2021) [OA] [⤓]
Hard and Blind: On Wittgenstein’s Genealogical View of Logical Necessity. Philosophy and Phenomenological Research 102(2): 439-58 (2021) [OA] [⤓]
‘Changing the style of thinking’. Wittgenstein on Superlatives, Revisionism, and Cantorian Set Theory. Iyyun. The Jerusalem Philosophical Quarterly 68: 339-59 (2020) Invited to the special issue dedicated to commemorating Mark Steiner. Ed. Y. Ben-Menahem) [⤓]
Discontinuities and Singularities, Data and Phenomena: For Referentialism. Synthese 196:1919-37 (2019) In the special issue Infinite Idealizations in Science. Eds. L. Ruetsche, P. Palacios, S. Fletcher, E. Shech) [⤓]
Later Wittgenstein and the Genealogy of Mathematical Necessity. In Wittgenstein and Naturalism. Edited by K. Cahill and T. Raleigh. Pp. 151-73. Routledge (2018) [⤓]
Indispensability, Causation and Explanation. Theoria 33(2): 219-32 (2018) In the special issue Updating Indispensabilities: Hillary Putnam In Memoriam. Ed. M. Leng. [⤓]
(w/ Robert Moir) The 'Miracle' of Applicability? The Curious Case of the Simple Harmonic Oscillator. Foundations of Physics 48(5): 507-25 (2018). In the special issue Philosophical Aspects in the Foundations of Physics. Eds. M. Redei, H. Brown, K. Landsman) [⤓]
A Naturalist Landscape. Introductory chapter of Naturalizing Logico-Mathematical Knowledge: Approaches from Philosophy, Psychology and Cognitive Science. Ed. S. Bangu. Pp. 1-15. Routledge (2018) [⤓]
Scientific Explanation and Understanding: Unificationism Reconsidered. European Journal for Philosophy of Science 7(1): 103-26 (2017) [⤓]
Introduksjon: Hvorfor skal realister ha Examen Philosophicum? I Filosofi for Realister. Tekstsamling. Red. S. Bangu, K. Cahill. Pp. 9-13. Oslo: Universitetsforlaget. (2017)
Is Understanding Factive? Unificationism and the History of Science. Balkan Journal of Philosophy 9(1): 35-44 (2017) Invited key-note paper for the special issue Explanation and Understanding across the Sciences, Humanities and Arts. Ed. L. Gurova) [⤓]
On 'The Unreasonable Effectiveness of Mathematics in the Natural Sciences'. In Models and Inferences in Science. Eds. T. Nickles, E. Ippoliti, F. Sterpetti. Pp. 11-29. Springer (2016) [⤓]
Later Wittgenstein on the Logicist Definition of Number. In Early Analytic Philosophy. New Perspectives on the Tradition. Ed. S. Costreie. Western Ontario Series in Philosophy of Science Series. Pp. 233-57. Springer (2016) [⤓]
Why does Water Boil? Fictions in Scientific Explanation. In Recent Developments in the Philosophy of Science. EPSA 13 Helsinki. Eds. U. Mäki et al. Pp. 319-30. Springer (2015) [⤓]
Scientific Progress, Understanding and Unification. In Romanian Studies in Philosophy of Science. Eds. G. Sandu, I. Parvu, I. Toader. Series Boston Studies in the Philosophy and History of Science. Pp. 239-53. Springer (2015) [⤓]
(w/ Nic Fillion) Numerical Methods, Complexity and Epistemic Hierarchies. Philosophy of Science 82(5): 941-55 (2015) [⤓]
Neither Weak, Nor Strong? Emergence and Functional Reduction. In Why More is Different. Philosophical Issues in Condensed Matter Physics and Complex Systems. Eds. M. Morrison and B. Falkenburg. Pp. 253-66. Springer. The Frontiers Collection. (2015) [⤓]
Indispensability of Mathematics. In Oxford Bibliographies in Philosophy. General Ed. Duncan Pritchard. Oxford Univ. Press. online restricted access (2014) [⤓]
Indispensability and Explanation. British Journal for the Philosophy of Science 64(2): 255-77 (2013) [⤓]
Symmetry. In The Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Physics. Ed. R. Batterman. Pp. 287-313 Oxford Univ. Press. (2013) [⤓]
Wynn's Experiments and Later Wittgenstein's Philosophy of Mathematics. Iyyun. The Jerusalem Philosophical Quarterly 61: 219-41 (2012) Invited contribution to a special issue of papers presented at the conference 'Mathematical Knowledge and Its Application'. Ed. Y. Ben-Menahem, L. Corry and C. Possy. [⤓]
Ludwig Wittgenstein: Later Philosophy of Mathematics Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Eds. J. Fieser and B. Dowden (2012) [OA]
On the Role of Bridge Laws in Inter-theoretic Relations. Philosophy of Science 78(5): 1108-19 (2011) [⤓]
Probability Assignments and the Principle of Indifference. An Examination of Two Eliminative Strategies. In Probabilities, Causes and Propensities in Physics. Ed. M. Suarez. Pp. 61-76. Springer (2011) [⤓]
On Bertrand's Paradox. Analysis 70: 305 (2010) [⤓]
Understanding Thermodynamic Singularities. Phase transitions, Data and Phenomena. Philosophy of Science 76.4: 488-505 (2009) [⤓]
Wigner's Puzzle for Mathematical Naturalism. International Studies in Philosophy of Science 23.3: 245-63 (2009) [⤓]
Reifying Mathematics? Prediction and Symmetry Classification. Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics 39.2: 239-58 (2008) [⤓]
Inference to the Best Explanation and Mathematical Realism. Synthese 160: 13-20 (2008) [⤓]
Pythagorean Heuristic in Physics. Perspectives on Science 14(4): 387-416 (2006) [⤓]
Underdetermination and the Argument from Indirect Confirmation. Ratio 19.3: 269-78 (2006) [⤓]
Steiner on the Applicability of Mathematics and Naturalism. Philosophia Mathematica (3)14: 26-43 (2006) [⤓]
Later Wittgenstein on Essentialism, Family Resemblance and Philosophical Method. Metaphysica 6 (2): 53-73 (2005) [⤓]
Book reviews/critical notices
The Comeback of Natural Philosophy. Essay review of Penelope Maddy Natural Philosophy and Other Essays (Oxford Univ Press, 2022) Philosophy of Science. Forthcoming.
(w/ Jeffrey Schatz) Critical notice of Wittgenstein's Philosophy of Mathematics by Juliet Floyd. Cambridge Univ. Press, 2021 (Cambridge Elements series). In Philosophia Mathematica 30(1): 103-110 (2022). [⤓]
Book review. Because Without Cause by Marc Lange. Oxford Univ. Press, 2013. In British Journal for Philosophy of Science. BJPS Review of Books [OA] (2017)
Book review. Understanding Inconsistent Science by Peter Vickers. Oxford Univ. Press, 2013. In Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews [OA] (2013)
Critical notice. Structures, Fictions, and the Explanatory Epistemology of Mathematics in Science. Metascience 22(2): 247-73 Invited contribution to a symposium on Christopher Pincock's Mathematics and Scientific Representation (Oxford Univ. Press, 2012). Co-symposiasts: M. Balaguer and E. Landry. Responses by C. Pincock. (2013) [⤓]
Book review. Popper: yet again. Review of Popper's Critical Rationalism, by Darrel Rowbottom (Routledge, 2010) Metascience 22:165-8 (2013) [⤓]
Book review. The many faces of underdetermination. Review of Underdetermination: An essay on evidence and the limits of natural knowledge, by Thomas Bonk (Springer, 2008) Metascience 20:169-71 (2011) [⤓]
Book review. Representation and Productive Ambiguity in Mathematics and the Sciences by Emily Grosholz. 2007, Oxford University Press. In Isis 100(1): 137-9 (2009)
Book review. The Mathematics of Marriage: Dynamic Nonlinear Models by John M. Gottman, James D. Murray, Catherine C. Swanson, Rebecca Tyson, Kristin R. Swanson. MIT Press, 2002. In Philosophical Psychology 18(5): 651-5 (2005)