Teaching
History and Philosophy of Mathematics
The department’s teaching activities focus on mathematics education for students in all teacher-training programs. On the one hand, the goal is to foster a solid understanding of mathematical concepts and methods, so that future teachers are equipped to competently convey lesson content—even after repeated curriculum reforms—and to inspire enthusiasm for mathematics. Furthermore, the department aims to provide particularly gifted high school students with an exemplary insight into the university research landscape. On the other hand, it is essential to take a nuanced view of mathematics as an extraordinary cultural achievement with a history spanning more than 3,000 years and with effects on society that are often ambivalent yet profoundly formative. This includes exploring the historical and philosophical roots of mathematics, which are integrated into the respective course offerings, as well as separate lectures and seminars on the history and philosophy of mathematics.
Starting in the winter semester of 2021–22, students can also choose “Philosophy of Mathematics” as an applied subject within their major.
Current Courses (Summer Semester 2026)
Prof. Dr. Gregor Nickel
- Lecture: Introduction to the Philosophy of Mathematics (
↗unisono) - Seminar: The Philosopher and the Library: Nicholas of Cusa in Dialogue with Ancient Thought (with Prof. Dr. Mario Meliadò) (
↗unisono) - Seminar: Inconsistency Among Philosophers? Al-Ghazali and Averroes in the Debate Over Reason and Religion (with Prof. Dr. Mario Meliadò) (
↗unisono) - Advanced Seminar on the History and Philosophy of Mathematics
Dr. Susanne Spies
- Historical-Philosophical Seminar (
↗unisono) - Seminar on the History of Mathematics / Seminar on the Philosophy of Mathematics (
↗unisono) - Advanced Seminar on the History and Philosophy of Mathematics
Dr. Julia Franke-Reddig
- Seminar on Elements of Stochastics (
↗unisono) - Advanced Course in the History and Philosophy of Mathematics for HR (
↗unisono)
In addition to lectures and seminars on the history and philosophy of mathematics, the following are offered regularly:
- Interdisciplinary“
Rome” seminars (held annually in winter, followed by an excursion) - Seminars in cooperation with the
Department of Philosophy
Prof. Dr. Gregor Nickel
- Analysis II
- Leibniz and Kant—Mathematics and the Mathematization of the Sciences
- Rome Seminar 2026: Between Doubt and Trust. Mathematics, Computer Science, and Dealing with Uncertainty
- Advanced Seminar in the Philosophy of Mathematics
- Philosophy of Mathematics Seminar Group
Dr. Susanne Spies
- History of Mathematics (with Julia Franke-Reddig)
- Historical-Philosophical Seminar on the Lecture Series
- Advanced Seminar on the Philosophy of Mathematics
Julia Franke-Reddig
- History of Mathematics
- Historical-Philosophical Advanced Course for HRSGe[104.1, 104.2]
Timo Handwerk
- Tutorial on Calculus II
Prof. Dr. Gregor Nickel
- Sextus Empiricus and Ancient Skepticism (with Prof. Dr. Mario Meliadò)
- Rome Seminar 2025: Fictional, Virtual, and Real Worlds. Mathematics, Computer Science, and the Question of Reality
- Philosophy of Mathematics Seminar
Dr. Susanne Spies
- History of Mathematics
- Elements of Stochastics (with Dr. Julia Franke-Reddig)
- Seminar on the History of Stochastics (MA HRSGe)
Julia Franke-Reddig
- Elements of Stochastics (with Dr. Susanne Spies)
Timo Handwerk
- Exercise on the History of Mathematics
Prof. Dr. Gregor Nickel
(Research Semester)
Dr. Susanne Spies
- History of Mathematics
- Elements of Stochastics
Julia Franke-Reddig
- Introduction to the Philosophy of Mathematics (with Jasmin Özel)
Timo Handwerk
- Seminar on the History of Mathematics
- Seminar: Introduction to the Philosophy of Technology (Historical-Philosophical Specialization)
Prof. Dr. Gregor Nickel
- Analysis II
- Analysis II Seminar
- Metaphysics and Cosmology of the Early Modern Period: Giordano Bruno (with Prof. Dr. Mario Meliadò)
- Rome Seminar 2024: Crises, Conflicts, and Catastrophes from the Perspective of Mathematics and Computer Science
- Philosophy of Mathematics Seminar
Dr. Susanne Spies
- History of Mathematics
- Elements of Stochastics
Julia Franke-Reddig
- Advanced Course in History and Philosophy
Timo Handwerk
- Tutorial on Calculus II
Prof. Dr. Gregor Nickel
- Calculus I
- Analysis I Seminar
- Philosophy of Mathematics Seminar
Dr. Susanne Spies
- History of Mathematics
- Elements of Stochastics (with Dr. Alexander Schnurr)
Dr. Andrea Reichenberger
- Philosophy of Mathematics (Lecture)
- Women in Modern Physics
- Women in the History and Philosophy of Mathematics
Timo Handwerk
- Tutorial on Calculus I
Prof. Dr. Gregor Nickel
- Functional Analysis I
- Exercise Course in Functional Analysis I
- Spinoza, Ethics (with Prof. Dr. Mario Meliadò)
- Rome Seminar 2023: Chance. Approaches from Mathematics and Computer Science
- Philosophy of Mathematics Seminar
Dr. Susanne Spies
- Women in the History and Philosophy of Mathematics (with Andrea Reichenberger)
- Elements of Stochastics
- Exercise on Elements of Stochastics
Prof. Dr. Gregor Nickel
- Lecture on the Philosophy of Mathematics
- Sextus Empiricus and Ancient Skepticism (with Prof. Dr. Mario Meliadò)
- Rome Seminar 2021–22 (cont.)
- Philosophy of Mathematics Seminar
Dr. Susanne Spies
- History of Mathematics
- Seminar on the History of Mathematics
Shafie Shokrani
- Seminar on Stochastics (Advanced Elementary Mathematics)
Other Events
- Conference: Ernst Cassirer’s Theoretical Philosophy: Perspectives from the Philosophy of Mathematics and Culture
- Commemorative Colloquium: Wolfgang Hein’s 80th Birthday
Prof. Dr. Gregor Nickel
- Analysis II
- Exercise Course in Analysis II
- Unity, Multiplicity, and Number: An Introduction to Neoplatonic Thought (with Prof. Mario Meliadò)
- Rome Seminar 2021–22 (cont.)
- Philosophy of Mathematics Seminar
Dr. Susanne Spies
- Tutorial on Calculus II
- Elements of Stochastics
- Advanced Course in History and Philosophy for Teachers
Prof. Dr. Gregor Nickel
- Calculus I
- Tutorial for Analysis I (Riko Kelter)
- Exercise Course in Analysis I
- Sextus Empiricus and Ancient Skepticism (with Prof. Dr. Mario Meliadò)
- Philosophy of Mathematics Seminar
Dr. Susanne Spies
- History of Mathematics
- Elements of Stochastics (with Alexander Schnurr)
Shafie Shokrani
- Advanced Course in the History and Philosophy of Mathematics
Prof. Dr. Gregor Nickel
- Leibniz and Kant— Mathematics and the Mathematization of the Sciences (Seminar, BA Gym)
- Rome Seminar 2021–22: Hard Problems—Why It’s Worth Tackling Difficult Problems
Dr. Susanne Spies
- Elements of Stochastics (BA / MA G)
- Exercises on Elements of Stochastics (BA / MA G)
- What’s So Great About ‘Nice Little Packages’?—On the Aesthetics of Elementary School Mathematics (Seminar, MA G)
- Seminar on the History of Stochastics (MA HRSGe)
Shafie Shokrani
Riko Kelter
Prof. Dr. Gregor Nickel
- Analysis II
- Analysis II Exercise
- Seminar on the Philosophy of Mathematics
- The Book Garden—Readings from the History of Philosophy
- Philosophy of Mathematics Workshop
Dr. Susanne Spies
- History of Mathematics
- Seminar on the History of Mathematics
- Advanced Course in History and Philosophy
- Philosophy of Mathematics Seminar
Shafie Shokrani
- Seminar on the Philosophy of Mathematics (with Prof. Dr. Gregor Nickel)
Prof. Dr. Gregor Nickel
- Analysis I
- Exercise Course in Analysis I
- The Mathematical Cosmos: Number and Mind in Renaissance Philosophy (with Prof. Dr. Mario Meliadò)
- Rome Seminar 2020: Digitalization—How Discreet Do We Want to Live? Approaches through Mathematics and Computer Science
- Philosophy of Mathematics Seminar
Dr. Susanne Spies
- Elements of Stochastics
- Exercise on Elements of Stochastics
- Historical-Philosophical Specialization—Working with Sources
- Seminar on the Philosophy of Mathematics
- Philosophy of Mathematics Workshop
Prof. Dr. Gregor Nickel
- Philosophy of Mathematics
Prof. Dr. Gregor Nickel
- Functional Analysis I
- Exercise Course in Functional Analysis I
- Rome Seminar 2019: Beyond Good and Evil? Mathematics, Computer Science, and the Question of Responsibility
Prof. Dr. Gregor Nickel
- Seminar "Philosophy of Mathematics I"
- Seminar “Philosophy of Mathematics II”
Dr. Susanne Spies
- Lecture on the History of Mathematics for Elementary School Teacher Candidates
- Exercises in the History of Mathematics for Elementary School Teacher Candidates
- Lecture on the History of Mathematics for Secondary School Teacher Education
- Seminars on the History of Mathematics for Secondary School Teacher Candidates
- Seminar: “Working with Historical Sources”
Dr. Heiko Hoffmann
- Lecture: Introduction to the Theory of Banach Algebras
- Exercises in Introduction to the Theory of Banach Algebras
- Lecture: Mathematics for Electrical Engineering Students III
- Exercises in Mathematics for Electrical Engineers III
- Seminar on Set Theory
Shafie Shokrani
- Seminar on the Philosophy of Mathematics
- Preparatory Course in Mathematics
Daniel Koenig
- Seminar: "Hegel’s Logic of Quantity and Mathematics"
Prof. Dr. Gregor Nickel
- Analysis II
- Exercises in Analysis II
- Seminar: "The Problem of Knowledge in Mathematics"
- Rome Seminar 2018: Numbers – Data – Facts
Dr. Susanne Spies
- Lecture: Elements of Stochastics
- Exercises on Elements of Stochastics
- Seminar: "Working with Historical Sources"
- Seminar: “Aspects of Mathematical Aesthetics”
Dr. Heiko Hoffmann
- Proseminar: Supplementary Topics in Analysis
- Lecture on Evolution Equations
- Exercises on Evolution Equations
- Online Seminar on Evolution Equations: Functional Calculus
Shafie Shokrani
- Seminar: "History of the Socratic Dialogue in Mathematics Education"
Daniel Koenig
- Exercises on Calculus II
- Tutorial on Calculus II
Prof. Dr. Gregor Nickel
- Analysis I Lecture
- Analysis I Seminar
- Lecture: Philosophy of Mathematics
- Tutorial on the Philosophy of Mathematics
- Philosophy of Mathematics Seminar
Dr. Heiko Hoffmann
- Lecture on Spectral Theory (Functional Analysis II)
- Spectral Theory Seminar (Functional Analysis II)
Shafie Shokrani
- Seminar on the Philosophy of Mathematics
- Preparatory Course in Mathematics
Daniel Koenig
- Tutorial on Analysis I
Prof. Dr. Gregor Nickel
- Functional Analysis I
- Exercises in Functional Analysis I
- 2017 Rome Seminar: Mathematical Thinking. Encounters Between Philosophy and Mathematics
- Philosophy of Mathematics Seminar
Daniel Rompf
- Philosophy of Modern Mathematics
Prof. Dr. Gregor Nickel
- Lecture on the Philosophy of Mathematics
- Tutorial on the Philosophy of Mathematics
- Philosophy of Mathematics Seminar
Ronny Becker
- Geometry II
- History of Mathematics (G)
- History of Mathematics (HRGe)
- Seminar on the Philosophy of Mathematics [M2.2-GymBK]
Shafie Shokrani
- Seminar on the Philosophy of Mathematics
Prof. Dr. Gregor Nickel
- Functional Analysis I
- Colloquium on the History of Mathematics
- Rome Seminar 2016: Forecasting, Planning, Utopia
- Philosophy of Mathematics Seminar
Ronny Becker
- Advanced Elementary Mathematics
- Exercises for the Advanced Course in Elementary Mathematics
- Seminar on the Philosophy of Mathematics
Prof. Dr. Gregor Nickel
- Lecture on the Philosophy of Mathematics
- Tutorial on the Philosophy of Mathematics
- Seminar: Introduction to Topics in Modern Philosophy of Mathematics
- Seminar: Plato’s Timaeus—Mathematics and Natural Philosophy
- Philosophy of Mathematics Study Group
Prof. Dr. Gregor Nickel
- Research Course for the Specialization in History and Philosophy of Mathematics
- Rome Seminar 2015: Ars Memoriae. The Art of Remembering—The Art of Forgetting. Perspectives from Mathematics and Computer Science on a Universal Concept
- Philosophy of Mathematics Working Group
Dr. Matthias Wille
- Research Seminar for the Research Focus on the History and Philosophy of Mathematics
- Epistemological Foundations of Mathematics
- The Concept of Number in the 19th Century
- The Birth of Modern Logic from the Spirit of the “Begriffsschrift”
- Philosophy of Mathematics Seminar
Prof. Dr. Gregor Nickel
- Lecture: Philosophy of Mathematics
- Tutorial on the Philosophy of Mathematics
- Seminar: Science and Religion
- Philosophy of Mathematics Workshop
Prof. Dr. Gregor Nickel
- Functional Analysis I
- Exercises in Functional Analysis I
- Online Seminar: Positive Operator Semigroups and Applications
- 2014 Rome Seminar: Is It All Just a Game? Perspectives from Mathematics and Computer Science on a Universal Concept
- Philosophy of Mathematics Seminar Group
Prof. Dr. Gregor Nickel
- Philosophy of Mathematics
- Tutorial on the Philosophy of Mathematics
- Seminar on the Philosophy of Mathematics: Plato’s Philosophy of Mathematics
- Seminar on the Philosophy of Mathematics: What Is Mathematics (Really)?
- Philosophy of Mathematics Working Group
Dr. Ralf Krömer
- Structure of the Number System and Function Theory
- History and Philosophy of Mathematics
- Linear Algebra II
- Exercises in Linear Algebra II
- Philosophy of Mathematics Seminar
Martin Rathgeb
- Seminar on the Philosophy of Mathematics: Philosophy of Mathematics According to S. Körner
Prof. Dr. Gregor Nickel
- Rome Seminar 2013: Error – Mistake – Contradiction
- Philosophy of Mathematics Seminar
Dr. Ralf Krömer
- Linear Algebra I
- Exercises in Linear Algebra I
- Exercises in History of Mathematics I
- Philosophy of Mathematics Seminar
Prof. Dr. Gregor Nickel
- History of Mathematics II – Philosophy of Mathematics
- Tutorial on History of Mathematics II – Philosophy of Mathematics
- Seminar on Functional Analysis
- Philosophy of Mathematics Working Group
Dr. Ralf Krömer
- Structure of the Number System
- Exercises on the Structure of the Number System
- Linear Algebra II
- Exercises on Linear Algebra II
- Philosophy of Mathematics Seminar
Prof. Dr. Gregor Nickel
- Functional Analysis I
- Exercises in Functional Analysis I
- Plantinga’s Theory of Knowledge and His Concept of “Warrant”
- 2012 Rome Seminar: Suffering (and Creativity) in Mathematics. Emotions—Aversions—Obsessions.
- Philosophy of Mathematics Seminar
Dr. Ralf Krömer
- Elements of Algebra
- Tutorial on Elements of Algebra
- History of Mathematics I
- Tutorial on History of Mathematics I
- Linear Algebra I
- Exercises on Linear Algebra I
- Philosophy of Mathematics Seminar
Prof. Dr. Gregor Nickel
- Kant’s Philosophy of Mathematics
- Seminar on Anselm of Canterbury, *Proslogion*
- History of Mathematics II – Philosophy of Mathematics
- Tutorial on History of Mathematics II – Philosophy of Mathematics
- Philosophy of Mathematics Workshop
Dr. Ralf Krömer
- Structure of the Number System
- Exercise on the Structure of the Number System
- History of Mathematics I
- Exercises on the History of Mathematics I
- History of Mathematics II - History of Analysis
- Tutorial on History of Mathematics II – History of Analysis
- Philosophy of Mathematics Seminar
Prof. Dr. Gregor Nickel
- The University’s Responsibility: Research Ethics, the Study of Ethics
- Seminar on Functional Analysis
- Who or What Is God?
- Rome Seminar 2011: Is That Right? Correct, Legal, Just—Perspectives from Mathematics and Computer Science.
- Philosophy of Mathematics Workshop
Dr. Ralf Krömer
- Number Theory for High School
- History of Mathematics I
- Exercise in the History of Mathematics I
- Philosophy of Mathematics Seminar
Prof. Dr. Gregor Nickel
- Philosophy of Mathematics
- Nikolaus Cusanus: *De theologicis complementis* / *De mathematicis complementis*
- Functional Analysis II – Evolution Equations
- Exercises in Functional Analysis II
- Philosophy of Mathematics Seminar
Dr. Ralf Krömer
- Structure of the Number System
- History of Mathematics 2 / History of the Concept of a Function
- Exam Seminar: History of Mathematics
- Philosophy of Mathematics Seminar
Prof. Dr. Gregor Nickel (Research Semester)
- Rome Seminar 2010
Dr. Ralf Krömer
- Elements of Number Theory
- History of Mathematics I
- Exercises and Supplements to the History of Mathematics I
- Exam Seminar on the History of Mathematics
- Philosophy of Mathematics Seminar
Prof. Dr. Gregor Nickel
- Philosophy and History of Mathematics II
- Seminar on Functional Analysis
- Philosophy of Mathematics Seminar
Dr. Ralf Krömer
- Introduction to Linear Algebra I
- Exercises in Introduction to Linear Algebra I
- History of Mathematics I
- Exercises and Supplements to History of Mathematics I
- Philosophy of Mathematics Seminar
Prof. Dr. Gregor Nickel
- Functional Analysis
- Exercise on Functional Analysis
- Kant’s Philosophy of Mathematics
- The Book of Proofs
- The Use of Computers in Schools
- Rome Seminar 2009: Standards. Measure everything that is measurable—and make measurable what is not yet measurable (Galileo Galilei)
- Philosophy of Mathematics Workshop
Prof. Dr. Gregor Nickel
- Analysis II
- Lecture on the History and Philosophy of Mathematics
- Seminar on the History and Philosophy of Mathematics
- Reformed and Non-Reformed Epistemology (with Prof. Dr. Dieter Schönecker)
- Philosophy of Mathematics Seminar
Prof. Dr. Gregor Nickel
- Analysis I
- Exercises in Analysis I
- Seminar on Functional Analysis
- Philosophy of Mathematics Workshop
- Rome Seminar 2008
Prof. Dr. Gregor Nickel
- Analysis II
- Exercises in Analysis II
- History and Philosophy of Mathematics
- Evidence and Proof in Ethics and Mathematics (with Prof. Dr. Dieter Schönecker)
- Philosophy of Mathematics Seminar
Dr. Agnes Radl
- Functional Analysis
- Exercises in Functional Analysis
Gabriele Wickel
- Seminar on the History and Philosophy of Mathematics
Prof. Dr. Gregor Nickel
- Analysis I
- Exercises in Analysis I
- Linear Algebra
- Exercises in Linear Algebra
- Rome Seminar 2007