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Philosophy of Mathematics and Mathematics Education

The Confluence of Mathematics and Mathematical Activity
  • Anthony Peressini
  • Dominic Peressini
Chapter
  • 695 Downloads
Part of the Logic, Epistemology, and the Unity of Science book series (LEUS, volume 5)

Abstract

In this paper we explore how the naturalistic perspective in philosophy of mathematics and the situative perspective in mathematics education, while on one level are at odds, might be reconciled by paying attention to actual mathematical practice and activity. We begin by examining how each approaches mathematical knowledge, and then how mathematical practice manifest itself in these distinct research areas and gives rise to apparently contrary perspectives. Finally we argue for a deeper agreement and a reconciliation in the perspectives based on the different projects of justification and explanation in mathematics.

Keywords

Mathematical practice mathematics education proof mathematical ontology mathematical epistemology naturalism situative learning theory 
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Copyright information

© Springer 2007

Authors and Affiliations

  • Anthony Peressini
    • 1
  • Dominic Peressini
    • 2
  1. 1.Marquette UniversityUSA
  2. 2.University of ColoradoBoulderUSA

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