Critical Mathematics Education

A volume in Cognition, Equity, & Society: International PerspectivesSeries Editors: Bharath Sriraman, University of Montanaand Lyn English, Queensland University of TechnologyMathematics is traditionally seen as the most neutral of disciplines, the furthest removed from the argumentsand controversy of politics and social life. However, critical mathematics challenges these assumptions andactively attacks the idea that mathematics is pure, objective, and value-neutral. It argues that history, society,and politics have shaped mathematics-not only through its applications and uses but also through molding its concepts, methods, and evenmathematical truth and proof, the very means of establishing truth. Critical mathematics education also attacks the neutrality of the teaching andlearning of mathematics, showing how these are value-laden activities indissolubly linked to social and political life. Instead, it argues that the valuesof openness, dialogicality, criticality towards received opinion, empowerment of the learner, and social/political engagement and citizenship arenecessary dimensions of the teaching and learning of mathematics, if it is to contribute towards democracy and social justice.This book draws together critical theoretic contributions on mathematics and mathematics education from leading researchers in the field.Recurring themes include: The natures of mathematics and critical mathematics education, issues of epistemology and ethics; Ideology, thehegemony of mathematics, ethnomathematics, and real-life education; Capitalism, globalization, politics, social class, habitus, citizenship and equity.The book demonstrates the links between these themes and the discipline of mathematics, and itscritical teaching and learning. The outcome is a groundbreaking collection unified by a shared concernwith critical perspectives of mathematics and education, and of the ways they impact on practice.