Max Bense

Max Bense (7 February 1910 – 29 April 1990) was a German philosopher, scientist, writer, and academic best known for his work in the fields of philosophy of science, logic, semiotics, information theory, and aesthetics, especially in the context of computer-based art and concrete poetry. He is considered a key figure in the German postwar intellectual landscape and a pioneer in the application of formal and mathematical methods to cultural analysis.

Bense studied physics, chemistry, mathematics, and philosophy at the University of Bonn. After serving in World War II, he became a professor at the Hochschule für Gestaltung Ulm (HfG Ulm), a design school that was instrumental in shaping postwar design thought. Later, he moved to the University of Stuttgart, where he established the "Studio for concrete poetry and scientific aesthetics" and remained until his retirement.

Bense’s philosophical approach was deeply influenced by logical positivism and early cybernetics. He emphasized the role of information and structure in understanding both natural and cultural phenomena. He developed a theory of "existential rationalism" which sought to reconcile rational analysis with the experience of existence.

His contributions to semiotics were significant, emphasizing the role of signs and codes in the transmission of information and the construction of meaning. He explored the relationship between language, logic, and art, and argued for the importance of formal methods in analyzing artistic expression.

Bense's work on concrete poetry and computer art was particularly influential. He saw these new forms of artistic expression as embodying the principles of information theory and semiotics. He analyzed the use of algorithms and computational processes in creating art, and he explored the aesthetic implications of these technologies. He argued that computer-generated art had the potential to reveal new aspects of human creativity and perception.

Notable works include:

• Konturen einer Geistesgeschichte der Mathematik (1946)
• Die Mathematik in der Kunst (1949)
• Aesthetica: Einführung in die neue Aesthetik (1954)
• Informationstheorie als ästhetische Grundlage (1969)
• Semiotische Prozesse und Systeme in Mathematik, Informatik und Technik (1975)

Bense's intellectual legacy continues to be felt in the fields of digital art, media theory, and cultural studies. His work remains relevant for understanding the intersection of technology, art, and philosophy in the digital age.