Review article
Mathematics as Social Construction
Krunoslav Vukelić
; Department of Sociology, University of Zagreb
Abstract
This text interprets if there is reasons for such scientific discipline as sociology of mathematics. Those who affirm sociology of mathematics as relevant and existing scientific field do not accept theory about existence of one absolute and universal mathematics that is relevant and general for all cultures and understand mathematics as cultural creations like language and letter. For them, today accepted mathematics is only one of possible frames what people created to systematize and conquer complex world that is around them. In opposition to them are theoreticians who negate possibility of sociological analysis because mathematics and logic are independent of social conditions, personal preferences and personal or group goals - mathematical reality is existing independently of our knowledge; differences in between are product of different level of knowledge about mathematics truenesses. In some way, this paper represents an attempt to give an affirmation of sociology of mathematics because his author tries to prove that sociology could explain both mathematics outside (mathematics education, progression in mathematics community) and mathematics inside (development of theories and methods). Also, on several examples article shows that negotiation is existing in both mathematics and logic, whose consistency is not so coherent as it seems.
Keywords
sociology of mathematics; alternative mathematics; “strong program” in sociology; realism; mathematic platonism; sociology of knowledge
Hrčak ID:
154351
URI
Publication date:
30.6.2000.
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