Mathema-sphere: Considering All Mathematizing Entities for Improved Mathematics Education Reform

• In Event: Expanding What Counts as Mathematical Activity and Entities

Abstract

Humans are not the only mathematizing entities in the biosphere as recent scientific research in a wide range of fields (animal cognition, biological and material computation, systems biology, etc.) suggests. The purposes of this paper are to (1) describe the concept of mathematical anthropocentrism (centering human mathematics over the mathematics of non-human Others) which dominates our field; (2) develop a theoretical framework about the mathema-sphere (an emergent phenomenon—analogous to the bio-sphere—comprising all legitimately mathematizing entities), and (3) suggest some benefits the concept of the mathema-sphere might hold for the work of mathematics education reform. The mantra “Mathematics for All!” will take on renewed significance as we strive to accept and understand all legitimate mathematizing entities in the mathema-sphere.

Author

• Thomas E. Ricks, Louisiana State University
  Presenting Author