Abstract
Through examples we explore the practice of mathematical pursuit, in particular on the notion of proof, in a cultural, socio-political and intellectual context. One objective of the discussion is to show how mathematics constitutes a part of human endeavour rather than standing on its own as a technical subject, as it is commonly taught in the classroom. As a “bonus”, we also look at the pedagogical aspect on ways to enhance understanding of specific topics in the classroom.
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Notes
Shi is a rather peculiar but extremely important social class throughout the whole cultural history of China. It is sometimes rendered in translation as ‘literati’, ‘scholar’, ‘scholar-official’, ‘intellectual’, but none of these terms individually can capture a holistic meaning of the word.
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Siu, MK. Proof as a practice of mathematical pursuit in a cultural, socio-political and intellectual context. ZDM Mathematics Education 40, 355–361 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11858-008-0087-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11858-008-0087-y