Towards a critical epistemology of mathematics

Abstract

This essay addresses a critical epistemology of mathematics as an investigation into the epistemic limitations of mathematical thinking. After arguing for the relevance of a critical epistemology of mathematics, I discuss assumptions underlying standard arithmetic and assumptions underlying standard logic as examples for such epistemic limitations of mathematical thinking. Looking into the work of philosophically inte­res­ted scholars in mathematics education such as Alan Bishop and Ole Skovsmose, I discuss some early insights for a critical epistemology of mathematics. I conclude that these insights can only be the beginning, that we are yet far away from a proper under­standing of the epistemic limitations of mathematics, and that more research is needed.

Keywords

• mathematics education
• philosophy of mathematics
• critical theory
• epistemology