The mathematical state of the world – explorations into the characteristics of mathematical descriptions

Authors

  • Ole Ravn Christensen Department of Education, Learning and Philosophy, Aalborg University.
  • Ole Skovsmose Department of Education, Learning and Philosophy, Aalborg University.
  • Keiko Yasukawa Faculties of Education & Engineering, University of Technology, Sydney.

Abstract

In this article we try to analyse the conditions for describing the world mathematically. We consider the role played by mathematics in discussing and analysing „the state of the world?. We use this discussion to clarify what it means to use a mathematical description. We illustrate why the concepts of „mathematical description? and „mathematical model? are inadequate to evaluate the use of mathematics in decision-making processes. As a result we
develop a conceptual framework that is complex enough to match what goes on in scenarios involving applications of mathematics.

Author Biographies

Ole Ravn Christensen, Department of Education, Learning and Philosophy, Aalborg University.

OLE RAVN CHRISTENSEN is Cand. Scient. (1999) in mathematics and philosophy at Aalborg University.
2004 Ph.D. in Theory of Science at the Danish Centre for Educational Development in University Science.
From 2004 assistant professor at the Department of Education, Learning and Philosophy, Aalborg University.
Researches in the philosophy of mathematics and mathematics education with a special focus on the relation
between these two fields of study. In connection to this a special focal point of research is the use of the
problem based learning model in university science and mathematics educations.

Ole Skovsmose, Department of Education, Learning and Philosophy, Aalborg University.

OLE SKOVSMOSE has a special interest in critical mathematics education. Recently he has published
Travelling Through Education, which investigates the notions of mathematics in action, students‟ foreground,
globalisation, ghettoising with particle reference to mathematics education. He is professor at Aalborg
University, Department of Education, Learning and Philosophy. He has been co-director of The Centre for
Research of Learning Mathematics, a co-operative project between Roskilde University Centre, Aalborg
University and The Danish University of Education. Participated in conferences and given lectures about
mathematics education in many different countries.

Keiko Yasukawa, Faculties of Education & Engineering, University of Technology, Sydney.

KEIKO YASSUKAWA is a lecturer in Adult Education at the University of Technology, Sydney in Australia. In her past life, she was a pure mathematician researching in the area of nonlinear dynamical systems. More recently she has been involved in the education of adult educators, and in particular training of teachers of adult basic education – including adult numeracy education. In her research, she is
interested in the social study of mathematics and the prospect of using theoretical frameworks from science
and technology studies.

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Published

2008-03-01

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 1 (2008)

Section

Articles

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