The philosophy of language and its implications for teaching practice: wittgensteinian perspectives for teaching mathematics

Authors

  • Marisa Rosâni Abreu da Silveira Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA) http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3147-9478
  • Paulo Vilhena da Silva Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA)
  • Valdomiro Pinheiro Teixeira Júnior Universidade Federal do Sul e Sudeste do Pará (UNIFESSPA)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5007/2175-795X.2017v35n2p462

Abstract

In this paper we identify two issues that we understand to be challenges to the education of mathematics teachers: the first concerns the implications of the philosophy of language, particularly the ideas of L. Wittgenstein for teaching mathematics. This field of philosophy, by denying that meanings reside in the mind, places language as the main character in the acquisition of concepts. According to the Austrian philosopher’s argument, the meanings of our linguistic expressions are human creations and reality is linguistically constructed, which questions cognitive theories such as constructivism. The second challenge concerns the teaching of mathematics as a human institution, that is, as an asset that must be socialized to all regardless of their cultural or socioeconomic differences.

 

Author Biographies

Marisa Rosâni Abreu da Silveira, Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA)

Doutora em Educação pela Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). Professora do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação em Ciências e Matemática da Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA).

Paulo Vilhena da Silva, Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA)

Doutor em Educação Matemática pela Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA). Professor do Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Naturais (ICEN) da UFPA.

Valdomiro Pinheiro Teixeira Júnior, Universidade Federal do Sul e Sudeste do Pará (UNIFESSPA)

Doutor em Educação em Ciências e Matemáticas pela Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA). Professor do Instituto de Ciências Humanas da Universidade Federal do Sul e Sudeste do Pará (UNIFESSPA).

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Published

2017-08-04

How to Cite

Silveira, M. R. A. da, Silva, P. V. da, & Teixeira Júnior, V. P. (2017). The philosophy of language and its implications for teaching practice: wittgensteinian perspectives for teaching mathematics. Perspectiva, 35(2), 462–480. https://doi.org/10.5007/2175-795X.2017v35n2p462

Issue

Vol. 35 No. 2 (2017): Teacher training in essays: research, education, university

Section

Articles of Issues

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