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Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Math Cognition pp 119–139Cite as

The Body of/in Proof: An Embodied Analysis of Mathematical Reasoning

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Part of the book series: Mathematics in Mind ((MATHMIN))

Abstract

Mathematics is, in part, a search for structure and certainty, and the primary practice of mathematicians toward that end consists of creating and communicating mathematical proofs. The purpose of this chapter is to examine mathematical proof and logical reasoning from the perspective of embodied cognition (Clark 1998; Gibbs 2005; Johnson 1987, 2012; Lakoff and Johnson 1980; Shapiro 2010, 2014; Varela et al. 1991). Although there are multiple theoretical and methodological approaches to embodiment, Varela (1999: 11–12) characterized its essential aspects as follows:

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. St. Mary’s College of California, Moraga, CA, USA

    Laurie D. Edwards

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  1. Laurie D. Edwards
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Correspondence to Laurie D. Edwards .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Toronto, Cognitive Science Network, Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Marcel Danesi

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Edwards, L.D. (2019). The Body of/in Proof: An Embodied Analysis of Mathematical Reasoning. In: Danesi, M. (eds) Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Math Cognition. Mathematics in Mind. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22537-7_6

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