ADMITERE 2023

Valentin Sorin COSTREIE

Present Position: Associate Professor, Department of Theoretical Philosophy, University of Bucharest

Areas of Specialization: philosophy of language, philosophy of mathematics, early analytic (Frege, Russell), early modern (Leibniz, Newton)

Areas of Competence: logic, philosophy of science, metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of mind, critical thinking

Education:

Ph.D. – University of Bucharest (2007)

M.A. – University of Bucharest (1997)

B.A.  – University of Bucharest (1996)

Publications:

Books:

  • (with Mihail Cernea & Alexandru Dragomir) Concurs de admitere la INM şi Magistraturӑ Proba 2. Verificarea raţionamentului logic, C.H.Beck, 2017
  • Six Fregean studies (in Romanian), University of Bucharest Publishing House, 2015
  • Concurs de admitere la INM şi Magistraturӑ Proba 2. Verificarea raţionamentului logic, C.H.Beck, 2016
  • Concurs de admitere la INM şi Magistraturӑ Proba 2. Verificarea raţionamentului logic, C.H.Beck, 2015
  • Concurs de admitere la INM şi Magistraturӑ Proba 2. Verificarea raţionamentului logic, C.H.Beck, 2014
  • Concurs de admitere la INM şi Magistraturӑ Proba 2. Verificarea raţionamentului logic, C.H.Beck, 2013
  • (with D. Stefanescu & A. Miroiu) Logicӑ şi Argumentare, Humanitas, 2004

Edited volumes:

  • Early Analytic Philosophy. New Perspectives on the Tradition (Editor), in “The Western Ontario Series in Philosophy of Science”, Springer, 2016
  • Meaning and Truth, Co-editor with Mircea Dumitru, ProUniversitaria Publishing House, 2015
  • Special issue on Frege – History and Philosophy of Logic 34(3), Taylor & Francis, 2013

Chapters in volumes or Proceedings:

  • Is Frege’s Sinn identical with Russell’s Denoting Concept?”, Meaning and Truth, ProUniversitaria Publishing House, 2015, pp. 37-50
  • “Despre principiul leibnizian al continuităţii” – Metafizicӑ şi Ştiinţӑ, Festschrift in honour of Prof. Ilie Parvu, edited by Mircea Dumitru, Mircea Flonta and Valentin Mureşan, Editura Universitӑţii din Bucureşti, 2012, pp. 125-136
  • “The role of Mathematics in the knowledge based-society”, The Limits of the Knowledge Society – Epistemology and Philosophy of Science & Economy, Dan Sîmbotin & Ovidiu Gherasim (eds.) Institutul European, 2012, pp. 21-26
  • “Leibniz on Void and Matter”, Vanishing Matter and the Laws of Motion, vol. 13 in Routledge Studies in Seventeenth-Century Philosophy, edited by Dana Jalobeanu and Peter R. Anstey, Routledge, 2011, pp. 213-234
  • “Leibniz on the Lack of Void and Infinitely Decomposable Matter” – Edited by: Herbert Breger, Jürgen Herbst şi Sven Erdner, 3 volumes of the International Congress Leibniz – Natur und Subjekt 2011, pp. 186-191
  • “Mathematical intuition”, Knowledge and Action within the Knowledge Based Society. Epistemology, edited by Teodor Dima and Dan Sambotin, Institutul European, 2011, pp. 275-281
  • “Mathematics and the (knowledge based-)society” – Proceedings volume of the international conference The Limits of the Knowledge Society, Iaşi, 6-9 October 2010;
  • “Societatea bazată pe cunoaşterea matematică” – Managementul cunoaşterii.Teme actuale, edited byConstantin Stoenescu, Bucharest University Press, 2010, pp. 117-122
  • “Mathematics and Biology. Applicability and Predictability”, Rationality and Evolution. Philosophical Investigations of Complexity, L. Staicu (ed.), Bucharest University Press, 2009, 225-51
  • “Leibniz and Clarke. Physics, Metaphysics and Mathematics”, New Europe College Yearbook 2006-2007, I. Vainovski-Mihai (Ed.), New Europe College, 2009, pp. 97-127
  • Is really David Lewis a Realist?”, Ontology Studies/Cuadernos de Ontologia, Nr. 8, San Sebastian, Spain, 2008, 127-138
  • “Proper names: Mill, Russell and Frege”, Proceedings of the International Conference ‘John Stuart Mill. 1806-2006, University of Bucharest, November 3rd-4th, 2006, University of Bucharest Press, 2007, pp. 291-311
  • “T. Campanella- La Città del Sole”, Dictionary of fundamental political works, edited by Laurentiu Stefan-Scarlat, Humanitas, 2000; pp. 68-76

Papers:

  • „Frege’s puzzle and arithmetical formalism. Putting things in context”, History and Philosophy of Logic, 2013, 34(3), pp. 207-224
  • „Rethinking voluntary euthanasia” (with Byron Stoyles), The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy, 38(6), pp. 674-695
  • „Frege on numbers”, Transylvanian Review, 2013, XXII (2), pp. 103-120
  • „On proper names: Frege vs. Kripke”, Romanian Journal of Analytic Philosophy, 2012, IV(2), pp. 78-91
  • “What Mathematical Cognition could tell us about the Actual World” – Elsevier – Procedia Social and behavioral Science 33, 2012, 138-142
  • “Frege on identity: the transition from Begriffsschrift to Über Sinn und Bedeutung“, Logos & Episteme, III (2), 2012, pp. 297-308
  • “Frege’s Context Principle: its Role and Interpretation” – Logos & Episteme , Vol I (2), 2010, pp. 287-301
  • “The short long life of Russell’s denoting concepts”, Teorema, XXIV/3, 2005, pp. 97-113
  • “Leibniz on Miracles”, Arches– Revue Internationale des Sciences Humaines, Tome 7, 2004, pp. 63-8
  • “Leibniz’s Constructivism”, Revue Roumaine de Philosophie, 47(1-2), 2003, pp. 67-81
  • “Bertrand Russell & the Theory of Denotative Concepts”, Revista de Filosofie, XLIX, sept.-dec. 5-6, 2002, pp. 641-656
  • “The New Theory of Reference. Problems and Solutions concerning Proper Names”, Proceedings of The 2nd Annual Conference on Logic and Reasoning, July 2000, NEC Institute for Advanced Studies, Bucharest; pp. 69-81
  • “Possibility by Leibniz”, Krisis – Journal of Philosophy, 7, 1999; pp. 101-116
  • “Identity & Possible Worlds”, Krisis – Journal of Philosophy, 2, 1995; pp. 59-64

Presentations:

  • „Truth, Post-Truth and Nothing but the Truth”, University of Ehime (Japan), May 2019 [invited]
  • „Truth, Post-Truth and Nothing but the Truth”, What does it mean to be a Vice-Rector /Vice-President for internationalisation, The 1st UNICA/IAU Master Class on internationalization of Higher Education, University of Zagreb (Croatia) [invited]
  • ”Fake News – a rational versus emotional approach”, University of Bucharest, February 2019 [invited]
  • “Leibniz’s mathematical model for the infinite divisibility of matter”, Mathematics and Mechanics in the Newtonian Age: Historical and philosophical questions, Seville, IMUS (Institute for Mathematics of the University of Seville), September 2017
  • “Sense-acquaintance: Frege vs. Russell”, 9th European Congress for Analytic Philosophy (ECAP9) – Section1: Frege & Russell, Munich, August 2017
  • “Frege on Kindergarten Numbers”, 9th European Congress for Analytic Philosophy (ECAP9) – Special Symposion: Frege and Neo-Fregeanism, Munich, August 2017
  • „The geometrical roots of arithmetical cognition: Frege & Dehaene”, From basic cognition to mathematical practice, Seville, IMUS (Institute for Mathematics of the University of Seville), September 2016
  • „How Leibnizian was Leibniz, or the Reception of Leibniz through some Leibnizians like Christian Wolff”, The Xth International Leibniz Congress, Hannover, July 2016
  • „Frege on acquaintance”, The 15th Congress of Logic, Methodology and Philosophy of Science, Helsinki, August 2015
  • „The Geometric Roots of Arithmetical Cognition: Frege and Dehaene”, The Cognitive Basis of Logico-Mathematical Knowledge, Bergen, November 2015
  • „Leibniz on Void and Matter” – Natural History, Mathematics, and Metaphysics in the 17th century, Bucharest, 26-27 May 2015 [invited]
  • „Truth and Meaning in Frege” – Meaning and Truth, Bucharest, 16-17 January 2015
  • „Frege’s Puzzle against fictionalism” – The Bucharest-Budapest Workshop in Philosophy, Budapest, 4-5 April 2014
  • „A commentary to Helen de Cruz’s paper What can animal numerical cognition tell us about mathematical realism?”,Ethics and Explanation 2013, Nottingham, 18-19 January 2013
  • „Frege’s Puzzle and Mathematical Formalism”, Bucharest, 19 december 2012
  • On arithmetical cognition”, BCAP 2012 – Bucharest Colloquium in Analytic Philosophy – Philosophy of Mathematics Today, Bucharest, 1-3 June 2012
  • “Aritmetică: cogniţie şi existentă” – AVALON Center, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Babeş-Bolyai University, March 2012 [invited]
  • “Mathematical Cognition and Stucturalism” – MCMP [Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy] – University of Munich, München, February 2012 [invited talk]
  • “Computability and mathematical predictability in biology” – Systems and processualities, National Defence University “Carol I”, Bucharest, December 2011 [invited]
  • “Leibniz of infinity and matter” – Rethinking Politics for the Knowledge Society, Iaşi, November – December 2011
  • “What can Mathematical Cognition tell us about Norms?” – Evolution and Norms: Concepts, Models, Challenges, Bucharest, November 2011
  • “What could Mathematical Cognition tell us about the Actual World” – PSIWORLD 2011 – Psychology and the realities of contemporary world, Bucharest, October 2011
  • “Mathematical Cognition” – Significance and Interpretation within the Knowledge Based Society, Baia Mare, October 2011
  • “Mathematical Cognition and Structuralism” – Seminarul de Filosofie Teoretică of the Philosophy Faculty, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, October 2011
  • “Leibniz on the Lack of Void and Infinitely Decomposable Matter” – Internationaler Leibniz-Kongress – Natur und Subjekt – Hannover, September – October 2011
  • “Matematică şi Dumnezeu”, Summer School Stiinţă, Religie şi Filosofie – Philosophy Faculty, University of Bucharest, September 2011
  • “Mathematical cognition and its (implicit) structuralist ontological committments” – Special Workshop – Numerical Cognition and Mathematical Ontology of ECAP7 Milano, September 2011
  • “Frege on informative identities and the introduction of his sense-reference distinction” – ECAP 7 [Seventh European Congress of Analytic Philosophy] Milano, September 2011
  • “Frege on contentful mathematics” – 14th CLMPS [14th Congress of Logic, Methodology and Philosophy of Science], Nancy, July 2011
  • “Frege on contentful arithmetic” – Logicism Today, Besse-en-Chandess, June 2011
  • “Frege on sense and contentful mathematics” – Bucharest Colloquium in Analytic Philosophy – Frege’s Philosophy of Mathematics, Bucharest, May 2011
  • “Newton and Leibniz on Miracles” – ISIH 2011 Passionate Minds: Knowledge and the Emotions in Intellectual History, Bucharest, May 2011
  • „The Infinitesimal Revolution” – The Limits of the knowledge society, Iaşi, Octomber 2010, round table Communicating knowledge and the birth of modern science
  • “Mathematics and the (Knowledge Based)-Society” – international conference The Limits of the knowledge society, Iaşi, October 2010
  • “Leibniz’s Antibarbaric Philosophy” – round table at 10th Bucharest-Princeton Seminar in Early Modern Philosophy – Non Mechanical Philosophies in the 17th Century, Bran (România) June – July 2010
  • „Societatea bazată pe cunoaşterea matematică” – national conference Managementul cunoaşterii: probleme fundamentale, Universitaty of Bucharest, June 2010
  • „Frege on contentful mathematics” – international conference Bucharest Colloquium on Analytic Philosophy – The Actuality of Early Analytic, University of Bucharest, June 2010
  • “Mathematics and the (Knowledge Based)-Society”, The Limits of the knowledge society, October 2010, Iasi, Romania
  • “The Infinitesimal Revolution”, The Limits of the knowledge society, October 2010, Iasi, Romania
  • “Mathematical knowledge based society”, Knowledge Management – Fundamental Problems, June 2010, Bucharest, Romania
  • “Frege on informative identities and contentful mathematics”, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Department of Philosophy, June 2009, Barcelona, Spain
  • “Horror vacui. Leibniz vs. Newton”, Beyond Kuhnian paradigms: was there a scientific revolution in 17th century, after all?, University of Bucharest – New Europe College, March 2009, Bucharest, Romania
  • “Leibniz on void and matter”, Focus group – The Research group on the foundations of European modernity-NEC, December 2008, Bucharest, Romania
  • “Newton and Leibniz. Physics vs. Metaphysics”, Bucharest-Princeton Seminar, July-August 2008, Malancrav, Romania
  • “Mathematics and Biology: predictability and applicability”, Workshop on Theoretical and Methodological Fundamentals in the modeling and dynamics of complex socio-human systems, University of Bucharest, Centre for logic, history and philosophy of science, February 2007, Bucharest, Romania
  • “Leibniz’ labyrinth or the mathematical analysis of the world”, Seminar New Europe College, December 2006, Bucharest, Romania
  • “Proper Names: Mill, Russell, Frege”, International Conference. John Stuart Mill 1806-2006, University of Bucharest – New Europe College, November 2006, Bucharest, Romania
  • “David Lewis’ ontology or how could a Nominalist be called Realist?”, VII International Ontology Congress. From Plato’s cave to the Internet: The real and the Virtual, October 2006, San Sebastian, Spain
  • “Leibniz’s intuitionism”, Seminar on Early Modern Philosophy. The great instauration: science, philosophy and the reformation of knowledge in 17th century — Research Centre for Foundations of Early Modern Thought (Princeton University & University of Bucharest), July 2005, Bran, Romania
  • “The epistemological difficulty of Russell’s theory of denoting concepts”, American Philosophical Association – Eastern Division, December 2003 / Washington, USA
  • “B. Russell – Theory of Knowledge (1900-1905)”, International Conference on ‘Theory of Knowledge’, Black Sea University & Romanian Academy, September 2003 / Bucharest, Romania
  • “Leibniz’s constructivism”, 12th International Congress of Logic, Methodology and Philosophy of Science, August 2003 / Oviedo, Spain
  • “The Epistemological Difficulty of Russell’s Theory of Denoting Concepts”, Canadian Philosophical Association, Dalhousie University, May-June 2003 / Halifax, Canada
  • “Leibniz’s Constructivism”, Canadian Society for History and Philosophy of Science, Dalhousie University, May-June 2003 / Halifax, Canada
  • “Leibniz’s Account of Infinity and His Philosophy of Mathematics”, Canadian Society for History and Philosophy of Mathematics, Dalhousie University, May-June 2003 / Halifax, Canada
  • “Leibniz on Miracles”, International Philosophy Workshop on ‘Constructions’, October 2001 Memorial University of Newfoundland, John’s, Canada
  • “Leibniz on Miracles”, The 7th International Leibniz Congress, Technical University Berlin, September 2001 / Berlin, Germany
  • “The New Theory of Reference: Problems and Difficulties”, International Conference on ‘Logic, Arguments and Reasoning’, New Europe College, July 2000 / Bucharest, Romania
  • “The Logic of Essentialism”, 11th International Congress of Logic, Methodology and Philosophy of Science, August 1999 / Krakow, Poland
  • “Frege’s Ontology“, University of Bonn, Institute for Logic and Fundamental Research, June 1998 / Bonn, Germany
  • “Observation and Theory according to Newton-Smith”, Romanian Academy, October 1995 / Bucharest, Romania
  • “Possible Worlds- A Critical Investigation”, 10th International Congress of Logic, Methodology and Philosophy of Science, August 1995 / Florence, Italy

 

Administrative positions:

Since January 2020: State Advisor to the Prime Minister for Education and Research

Since March 2017: Vice-rector of the University of Bucharest

January 2017 – March 2017: Vice-dean of the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Bucharest

October 2016 – January 2017: Secretary of State, Ministry of National Education and Scientific Research

July 2016 – October 2016: Advisor to the Minister of Education

March 2016 – July 2016: Vice-dean of the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Bucharest

since February 2016: Member of the Senate, University of Bucharest

August 2008 – July 2016: Head of the Department of Quality Management, University of Bucharest

since May 2008: Member of the council of the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Bucharest

2007- 2008: Representative of part-time instructors in the Council of Faculty of Arts, University of Western Ontario

 

Administrative works:

Papers:

  • “Assuring Quality based on the Assessment of Lerning Outcomes” – Proceedings volume of the international conference INTED 2011 (International Technology, Education and Development Coneference), Valencia, March 2011
  • “The Ivory Tower Symptom” – Proceedings volume of the international conference INTED 2011 (International Technology, Education and Development Coneference), Valencia, March 2011
  • “The critical role of universities” – Proceedings volume of the international conference ICERI 2010 (International Conference of Education. Research and Innovation), Madrid, November 2010
  • “The role of mathematics in the knowledge based-society” – Proceedings volume of the international conference ICERI 2010 (International Conference of Education. Research and Innovation), Madrid, November 2010
  • “An Evaluation of the Quality Assurance – Case Study: The University of Bucharest“, The proceedings volume no I of The 2nd International Conference on Institutional Strategic Quality management in Higher Education ISQM 2010, October 2010, Sinaia, Romania, 119-24
  • „An Evaluation of the Quality (Assurance) Evaluation – Case Study: The University of Bucharest”, (with Rodica Ianole & Raluca Dinescu), QAR – Quality Assurance Review for Higher Education, vol. 1, no. 2, December 2009, pp. 100-7
  • “Quality Management Certification – A Trigger only for positive Changes in Higher Education?” (with Rodica Ianole & Raluca Dinescu), Proceedings of The 6th International Conference Management of Technological Changes, Alexandroupolis (Greece), September 2009, Democritus University of Thrace, Vol. II , ISBN 978-960-89832-8-1, pp. 445-449

Presentations:

  • „International Offices in Romania”, An International Comparative Perspective on International Offices, DAAD Headquarter, December 2019, Bonn, Germany [invited]
  • „CIVIS – European University Network”, Erasmus+ in HE – a step beyond mobility, University of Cluj-Napoca, Octomber 2019, Cluj-Napoca, Romania [invited]
  • „Research vs. teaching. Living in the Ivory Tower in the learning-based society”– Experience and Explanation in Knowledge Society, March 2013, Baia Mare, Romania
  • “Assessing Learning Outcomes: an internal perspective” – Development of Tools to strengthen Quality Assurance of Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes in Higher Education, January 2011, Hague, Holland
  • “Assuring Quality based on the Assessment of Lerning Outcomes” – INTED 2011 (International Technology, Education and Development Coneference), March 2011, Valencia, Spain
  • “The Ivory Tower Symptom” – INTED 2011 (International Technology, Education and Development Coneference), March 2011, Valencia, Spain
  • “The role of mathematics in the knowledge based-society” – ICERI 2010 (International Conference of Education. Research and Innovation), November 2010, Madrid, Spain
  • “The critical role of universities” – ICERI 2010 (International Conference of Education. Research and Innovation), November 2010, Madrid, Spain
  • “An Evaluation of the Quality Assurance – Case Study: The University of Bucharest“ – The 2nd International Conference on Institutional Strategic Quality management in Higher Education ISQM 2010, October 2010, Sinaia, Romania
  • “Quality Management Certification – A Trigger only for positive Changes in Higher Education?” (with Rodica Ianole & Raluca Dinescu) -The 6th International Conference on Management of Technological Changes, Democritus University of Thrace, September 2009, Alexandroupolis, Greece
  • “Quality Assurance Evaluation Process in Romanian Higher Education Institutions – The Case of the University of Bucharest” (with Rodica Ianole & Raluca Dinescu) – International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies – EDULEARN09, July 2009, Barcelona, Spain
  • “Les politiques d’assurance qualité dans l’enseignment superior – un catalyseur pour l’internationalisation des universités” (with Rodica Ianole & Raluca Dinescu) – 6th International Conference on Internationalization of Quality Assurance, Acreditation and Management of Higher Education, June 2009, Galati, Romania

Awards:

  • 2003 nominated for Graduate Student Teaching Award (UWO)

Scholarships, fellowships and grants:

  • 2015-2017 – Researcher within the research project UEFISCDI-CNCS (PN-RU-TE-II 2014-4-2522) – Philosophy between Mathematical Method and Experiment: The Berlin Academy (1746-1764).
  • 2013-2015 – Coordinating expert of the research team no. 11 (Meaning and Truth), within the research project POSDRU/159/1.5/S/133675 „Inovare şi dezvoltare în structurarea şi reprezentarea cunoaşterii prin  burse doctorale şi postdoctorale 
  • 2000-2013 Posgraduate Fellowship – Romanian Academy, Iasi Branch with the research project Mathematical Knowledge Based Society
  • 2012 – Director of the research project CNCS-UEFISCDI (PN-II-ID-WE-2012-4-030 – Philosophy of Mathematics Today
  • 2009 – Erasmus mobility grant for professors (Barcelona, Spania)
  • 2006-2007 New Europe College Scholarship
  • 2004-2005 Ontario Graduate Scholarship
  • 2003-2004 Ontario Graduate Scholarship + UWO-International Graduate Student Scholarship
  • 2002-2003 Special University Scholarship + UWO-International Graduate Student Scholarship
  • 2000-2002 President’s Scholarship for Graduate Studies + UWO-International Graduate Student  Scholarship
  • 2001 Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft grant supporting travel costs for attending The VIIth International Leibniz Congress, September 10-15th, 2001 / Technical University of Berlin
  • 1999 World Bank grant as visiting scholar at University of Notre Dame & University of Pittsburgh in the framework of the research project: Understanding Complexity
  • 1997-1998 Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (DAAD) scholarship at University of Bonn for the research project: Frege’s Ontology
  • 1996 Tempus scholarship at University of Rome, La Sapienza
  • 1993 Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (DAAD) scholarship at University of Trier (Germany) for a German language summer school

Membership in Academic and Professional Organizations

  • Member of the Steering Committee of the European Society for Analytic Philosophy (E.S.A.P.)
  • Member of the Steering Committee of the Romanian Society for Analytical Philosophy (S.R.F.A.)
  • Member of the Steering Committee of CIVIS European University Alliance
  • Member of the Steering Committee of UNICA – Network of Universities from the Capitals of Europe
  • Member, American Philosophical Association (A.P.A.)
  • Member, Canadian Philosophical Association (C.P.A.)
  • Member, Canadian Society for the History and Philosophy of Science (C.S.H.P.S.)
  • Member, Canadian Society for History and Philosophy of Mathematics (C.S.H.P.M.)
  • Member, Association for the Philosophy of Mathematical Practice (A.P.M.P.)
  • Member, The History of Early Analytic Philosophy Society (H.E.A.P.S.)

Referee for:

Erkentniss, Philosophia Mathematica, Synthese, Teorema

Languages:

  • Fluent in Romanian, English, Italian and German
  • Partial fluency in French and Spanish

References:

  • Prof. Dr. Mircea Dumitru, University of Bucharest
  • Prof. Dr. John Bell, University of Western Ontario