Author Archives: fbenedictus

About fbenedictus

Philosopher of physics at Amsterdam University College and Utrecht University, managing editor for Foundations of Physics and international paraclimbing athlete

The White Rabbit’s Watch

Posted on March 28, 2017

Alice and the Friendly Minotaur have decided to go on a search for the Architect. Alice wants to ask the Architect – who designed the Minotaur’s labyrinth – whether numbers were used in making the labyrinth’s design. She hopes that … Continue reading →

Posted in Numbers in Wonderland | 3 Comments

Wonderland without Numbers?

Posted on February 20, 2017

Previously in ‘Numbers in Wonderland’ Alice followed the Friendly Minotaur as he walked deeper into the forest. Any other little girl would have been at least a bit frightened by the shape of the large beast and the shadows cast … Continue reading →

Posted in Numbers in Wonderland, Philosophy of Mathematics | 2 Comments

Alice and the Friendly Minotaur

Posted on February 10, 2017

Previously in ‘Numbers in Wonderland‘ ‘I wonder what would be left,’ Alice thought to herself, ‘if I take five apples and throw away the apples’. ‘What would it feel like to have five in my hands?’ I guess it would … Continue reading →

Posted in Numbers in Wonderland, Philosophy of Mathematics | 3 Comments

Mouthguard

Posted on February 4, 2017

I grind my teeth. Even when I’m not thinking about very difficult things – such as what present to give my mother for her birthday – I scrape the teeth of my lower jaw with my upper teeth. The dentist kindly … Continue reading →

Posted in paraclimbing, Personal | Leave a comment

Numbers in Wonderland

Posted on January 30, 2017

After following the White Rabbit down the rabbit-hole and meeting all kinds of strange and wondrous animals, Alice finds herself at the mad tea party. Her three companions – the Hatter, the Dormouse and the March Hare – keep asking … Continue reading →

Posted in Numbers in Wonderland, Philosophy of Mathematics | 7 Comments

Paraclimbing plans for 2017

Posted on January 20, 2017

2017 is going to be a great year for me. I’m getting married to the woman I love; in a month or two I hope to finish my PhD and, on top of that, there’s going to be a lot … Continue reading →

Posted in paraclimbing | Leave a comment

Bestaat Lege Ruimte?

Posted on January 12, 2017

Wat zou er gebeuren als uit de ruimte plotseling alle objecten zouden verdwijnen? Blijft er dan lege ruimte over, of is er helemaal niets meer? Met andere woorden: is de lege ruimte zelf ook een soort ‘object’?

Posted in Philosophy of Mathematics, Philosophy of Physics, Ruimte-tijd filosofie, space, spacetime | 2 Comments

Paraclimbing World championship – Paris, 2016

Posted on September 9, 2016

UPDATE: I ended fourth in my category. That’s less than I had hoped for, but a lot more than I had expected (I was the only Dutch finalist). The next worldchampionship (Innsbruck, 2018) I’ll do better!

Posted in paraclimbing, Personal, Travels | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Does Science Describe Reality?

Posted on September 1, 2016

In the philosophy of science there is a debate about whether scientific theories tell us what the world is really like, or whether scientific theories are nothing more than ‘tools’ or ‘instruments’ – useful for making predictions, but not for … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy of Physics | Tagged , | Leave a comment

This Is What Climbing With A Disability Looks Like

Posted on May 13, 2016

There remains a lot to be learned… 😉

Posted in paraclimbing | 1 Comment