In Memoriam: Michael Detlefsen, McMahon-Hank Professor of Philosophy | News | Notre Dame News | University of Notre Dame Skip To Content Skip To Navigation Skip To Search University of Notre Dame Notre Dame News Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Home Contact Search Menu Home › News › In Memoriam: Michael Detlefsen, McMahon-Hank Professor of Philosophy In Memoriam: Michael Detlefsen, McMahon-Hank Professor of Philosophy Published: October 23, 2019 Author: Amanda Skofstad Michael Detlefsen Michael “Mic” Detlefsen, the McMahon-Hank Professor of Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame and editor of the Notre Dame Journal of Formal Logic, died Monday (Oct. 21). He was 71. Detlefsen was a leading expert on the ways in which mathematics and philosophy have influenced each other throughout their histories — with special focus on philosophical logic and the work of German mathematician David Hilbert. Throughout his 35-year tenure at Notre Dame, Detlefsen’s research and teaching earned many distinctions, including his appointment by the French government as Senior Chaire d’Excellence from the Agence National de la Recherche from 2007 to 2012. This honor included a $1.1 million research grant and an appointment as the Distinguished Guest Professor at the University of Paris Diderot. Detlefsen held additional visiting positions at University of Konstanz, University of Split, University of Lorraine and University of Toulouse, among others. At Notre Dame, Detlefsen received the 2016 University Research Achievement Award and the 2015 Rev. James A. Burns, C.S.C., Award for exemplary contributions to graduate education. In addition to initiating and implementing a joint Ph.D. program in logic and foundations of mathematics at Notre Dame, Detlefsen was a founding organizer of the Midwest PhilMath Workshop, which is now in its 20th year and has become a key annual meeting for people working in philosophy of mathematics. Notre Dame Professor of Philosophy Patricia Blanchette, a close friend and colleague of Detlefsen’s, said he consistently went out of his way to support the work of the next generation of philosophers —encouraging them, helping them find resources and serving as a mentor to younger scholars around the United States and beyond. “Mic’s work to bring together the philosophy of mathematics communities in Europe and North America has been enormously important to the development of the field,” Blanchette said. “His annual philosophy of math seminar in Paris has provided an opportunity for scholars in western Europe to get together with scholars from the U.S., and for the philosophy of mathematics community in Paris to be enriched immeasurably.”  Jeff Speaks, professor of philosophy and chair of Notre Dame’s philosophy department, added: “Notre Dame has been one of the best places in the world to study the philosophy of mathematics for decades, and that is very largely due to Mic’s importance and influence in the field. He has been a leader in our department, and a mentor to students and faculty alike. It is difficult to imagine the place without him.” Detlefsen, a native of Nebraska, earned his bachelor's at Wheaton College and his doctorate at Johns Hopkins University. He is survived by his wife, Martha, and his children, Hans, Anna and Sara. Visitation will take place on Saturday (Oct. 26), from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., at McGann Hay Granger Chapel. Services will be held at 3:00pm on Sunday (Oct. 27) at Church of the Savior in South Bend. Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the service.   Posted In: Faculty and Staff Home Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Related October 04, 2022 NIH awards $4 million grant to psychologists researching suicide prevention September 09, 2022 Karrie Koesel to testify before Congressional-Executive Commission on China August 18, 2022 Two faculty win NEH grants to research history of red hair, philosophy of revelation August 16, 2022 NSF names Center for Computer-Assisted Synthesis a Phase II Center for Chemical Innovation August 15, 2022 Notre Dame President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., on Russian atrocities against clergy in Ukraine For the Media Contact Office of Public Affairs and Communications Notre Dame News 500 Grace Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Pinterest © 2022 University of Notre Dame Search Mobile App News Events Visit Accessibility Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn