Stephan Hartmann

Stephan Hartmann is Chair of Philosophy of Science and Alexander von Humboldt Professor at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich), where he also serves as Head of the Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy. His academic journey spans multiple prestigious institutions across Europe, establishing him as a leading figure in contemporary philosophy of science.

Hartmann received his academic training at Justus-Liebig University Giessen, where he completed a Diploma in Physics (1991), a Master in Philosophy (1991), and a PhD in Philosophy (1995). Prior to joining LMU Munich in 2012, he taught at Tilburg University, the London School of Economics, and the University of Konstanz, with visiting appointments at the University of California at Irvine, Lund University, and the Center for Philosophy of Science at the University of Pittsburgh.

Hartmann's research program centers on the application of formal methods to philosophical problems, particularly through Bayesian frameworks. His work bridges philosophy of science, philosophy of physics, formal epistemology, social epistemology, and cognitive science. He has developed influential models for understanding reasoning, argumentation, deliberation, and scientific explanation using probabilistic and mathematical approaches. His current research focuses on the philosophy and psychology of reasoning and argumentation, the philosophy of physics (especially open quantum systems), and formal social epistemology (particularly models of deliberation).

His extensive publication record reveals a consistent trajectory of applying formal methods to philosophical questions, with increasing emphasis on Bayesian approaches across multiple domains. Hartmann's work demonstrates remarkable integration of mathematical precision with philosophical depth, particularly in addressing traditional problems in epistemology and philosophy of science through computational and probabilistic frameworks. His research shows strong continuity in exploring how formal models can illuminate fundamental questions about scientific reasoning, evidence, and rationality.

• Alexander von Humboldt Professor
• President of the European Philosophy of Science Association (2013-2017)
• President of the European Society for Analytical Philosophy (2014-2017)

Hartmann leads the Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy, which serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research at the intersection of philosophy, mathematics, and formal methods. Under his direction, the center has become a prominent institution for advancing mathematical approaches to philosophical problems, fostering collaborations between philosophers, mathematicians, physicists, and cognitive scientists. His work has significantly influenced how formal methods are applied to traditional philosophical questions, particularly in epistemology and philosophy of science.