NEW LARGE RESEARCH GROUP CLEA-CLPS
From 2024, the VUB research centres CLEA and CLPS (the Centre for Logic and Philosophy of Science) have been integrated into a large research group, called CLEA. Prof. Karen François is appointed head of the group (director), Prof. Francis Heylighen is the contact person for research (research director). You can consult the new directors team here. For the time being, both CLEA and CLEA-CLPS will continue to communicate through their existing websites and communication channels.
DEEP INTERDISCIPLINARITY
The Centre Leo Apostel (CLEA) is a transdisciplinary, interfaculty research centre at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). CLEA’s mission is to bridge the different scientific, social and cultural disciplines. It was founded in 1995 under the impulse of the Belgian philosopher Leo Apostel (1925-1995). He formulated the goal of CLEA as the integration of the different disciplines into a coherent worldview, so as to counteract the current fragmentation into ever more specialized approaches. Next to worldviews, our research addresses fundamental interdisciplinary issues, including complexity, systems, evolution, quantum entanglement, cognition, artscience and well-being.
We call our research philosophy "thinking beyond boundaries". Thanks to this philosophy, CLEA has attracted and trained a large number of talented researchers from the humanities, social sciences, physical sciences and engineering, representing countries from across the globe. CLEA is now internationally recognized as a unique, transdisciplinary research centre with a steady output of high-level, innovative publications.
Next to our research, we offer diverse educational programs and activities, including an interdisciplinary PhD, the School of Thinking postgraduate, courses, and public seminars and lecture series.
Upcoming events
Practical info-AI and the Art of Deception
Summary: Stefan Leijnen, Professor in Artificial Intelligence at Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, will discuss how the troublesome relation between AI and values stem from misunderstanding the truthfulness of AI systems; then, drawing from Zen Buddhist principles of non-duality and non-deceptiveness, we will explore how to design and deploy AI in ways that nurture clarity, honesty, and genuine understanding. Dr Leijnen directs research on machine learning and data-driven innovation. His scholarly work investigates the intersections of generative AI, open-endedness, goal-directedness, and creativity, with particular attention to Eastern philosophical frameworks. Beyond his academic research, he teaches zen meditation, and serves as Head of EU Relations at the AI Coalition for the Netherlands and Vice President of the European AI-Data-Robotics Association, where he contributes to the European strategy for AI innovation and ecosystem development.
Practical info-Complex Anarchism Symposium, 19-23 May 2025 in Brussels
With the upcoming Complex Anarchism symposium, we will be exploring the intersection between anarchism and complexity science. Anarchy, despite its popular definition as a state of disorder, is rather a mode of being where we organize ourselves voluntarily, that is, without coercion from a central controller or hierarchical system. During the symposium, we aim to apply and explore the interplay between these practices and concepts in order to experiment with alternative ways to organize our society.
Practical info-Imaginary Institute Symposium - 24 and 25 May, Brussels
We invite you to the next two-day symposium to collectively imagine the Imaginary Institute, a new initiative by the CLEA ArtScience group. Click the title to learn more!
News
School of Thinking Edition Tau (2025/26) + Open-door meeting 19 May, 2025
We are glad to announce the launch of the School of Thinking edition Tau, for the next academic year 2025-2026! The programme is now open for enrollment. This postgraduate is an intense one-year program for people from all walks of life.
