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Insight and intuition in mathematics

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Summary

I have tried to argue that the conclusions in [G] are, at least in part, false. In particular Griffiths' suggestion is incompatible with his view of insight. The problem of the goodness of models calls for skilful use of the concept of abstraction. Intuition and the intuitively obvious have no necessary connection with models, as the Poincaré example shows.

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References

  1. Griffiths, H. Brian, ‘Mathematical Insight and Mathematical Curricula’. Educ. Stud. in Math. 4 (1971), 153–165.

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  2. Eddington, Sir Arthur, New Pathways in Science, Cambridge University Press, 1935.

  3. Pirsig, Robert M., Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, The Bodley Head, London, 1974.

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  4. Poincaré, Henri, Science and Method, Dover.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mathematics, The University, Stirling, Scotland

    I. D. MacDonald

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  1. I. D. MacDonald
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MacDonald, I.D. Insight and intuition in mathematics. Educ Stud Math 9, 411–420 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00410586

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00410586

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