Visualization, Explanation and Reasoning Styles in Mathematics - Brossura

Brossura

ISBN 10: 9048102634 ISBN 13: 9789048102631

Casa editrice: Springer, 2008

Riassunto

In the 20th century philosophy of mathematics has to a great extent been dominated by views developed during the so-called foundational crisis in the beginning of that century. These views have primarily focused on questions pertaining to the logical structure of mathematics and questions regarding the justi?cation and consistency of mathematics. Paradigmatic in this - spect is Hilbert's program which inherits from Frege and Russell the project to formalize all areas of ordinary mathematics and then adds the requi- ment of a proof, by epistemically privileged means (?nitistic reasoning), of the consistency of such formalized theories. While interest in modi?ed v- sions of the original foundational programs is still thriving, in the second part of the twentieth century several philosophers and historians of mat- matics have questioned whether such foundational programs could exhaust the realm of important philosophical problems to be raised about the nature of mathematics. Some have done so in open confrontation (and hostility) to the logically based analysis of mathematics which characterized the cl- sical foundational programs, while others (and many of the contributors to this book belong to this tradition) have only called for an extension of the range of questions and problems that should be raised in connection with an understanding of mathematics. The focus has turned thus to a consideration of what mathematicians are actually doing when they produce mathematics. Questions concerning concept-formation, understanding, heuristics, changes instyle of reasoning, the role of analogies and diagrams etc.

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Review

From the reviews:

"As its title suggests, the book deals with themes that are of great interest to mathematics educators. ... this book is a collection of excellent papers by distinguished authors. It also shows a high standard of book production, in its layout, paper quality, draftsmanship and binding. ... this book deserves the attention of all those with an interest in mathematics education." (G. Hanna, Educational Studies in Mathematics, Vol. 64, 2007)

"This fascinating collection of essays is a must-have for those who are interested in the history and philosophy of mathematics ... . this is a book that libraries will want to have, particularly if they strive to have good collections on the history and philosophy of mathematics." (Fernando Q. Gouvêa, MathDL, August, 2005)

From the Back Cover

This book contains groundbreaking contributions to the philosophical analysis of mathematical practice. Several philosophers of mathematics have recently called for an approach to philosophy of mathematics that pays more attention to mathematical practice. Questions concerning concept-formation, understanding, heuristics, changes in style of reasoning, the role of analogies and diagrams etc. have become the subject of intense interest. The historians and philosophers in this book agree that there is more to understanding mathematics than a study of its logical structure. How are mathematical objects and concepts generated? How does the process tie up with justification? What role do visual images and diagrams play in mathematical activity? What are the different epistemic virtues (explanatoriness, understanding, visualizability, etc.) which are pursued and cherished by mathematicians in their work? The reader will find here systematic philosophical analyses as well as a wealth of philosophically informed case studies ranging from Babylonian, Greek, and Chinese mathematics to nineteenth century real and complex analysis.

Dettagli dell?edizione

• Editore: Springer
• Data di pubblicazione: 2008
• Lingua: Inglese
• ISBN 10: 9048102634
• ISBN 13: 9789048102631
• Rilegatura: Paperback
• Numero di pagine: 328
• Redattore: Mancosu P., Jorgensen K.F., Pedersen S.A.
• Contatto del produttore: non disponibile
• Persona responsabile: non disponibile