The mathematical state of the world – explorations into the characteristics of mathematical descriptions
In this article we try to analyse the conditions for describing the world mathematically. We consider the role played by mathematics in discussing and analysing „the state of the world‟. We use this discussion to clarify what it means to use a mathematical description. We illustrate why the concepts...
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina
2008-03-01
|
| Series: | Alexandria |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://periodicos.ufsc.br/index.php/alexandria/article/view/37422 |
| _version_ | 1811244904606597120 |
|---|---|
| author | Ole Ravn Christensen Ole Skovsmose Keiko Yasukawa |
| author_facet | Ole Ravn Christensen Ole Skovsmose Keiko Yasukawa |
| author_sort | Ole Ravn Christensen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In this article we try to analyse the conditions for describing the world mathematically. We consider the role played by mathematics in discussing and analysing „the state of the world‟. We use this discussion to clarify what it means to use a mathematical description. We illustrate why the concepts of „mathematical description‟ and „mathematical model‟ are inadequate to evaluate the use of mathematics in decision-making processes. As a result we
develop a conceptual framework that is complex enough to match what goes on in scenarios involving applications of mathematics. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T14:33:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-cd4e8f762ce64a70a57749d3d0bc1fc6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1982-5153 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T14:33:41Z |
| publishDate | 2008-03-01 |
| publisher | Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Alexandria |
| spelling | doaj.art-cd4e8f762ce64a70a57749d3d0bc1fc62022-12-22T03:29:12ZengUniversidade Federal de Santa CatarinaAlexandria1982-51532008-03-011123166The mathematical state of the world – explorations into the characteristics of mathematical descriptionsOle Ravn Christensen0Ole Skovsmose1Keiko Yasukawa2Department of Education, Learning and Philosophy, Aalborg University.Department of Education, Learning and Philosophy, Aalborg University.Faculties of Education & Engineering, University of Technology, Sydney.In this article we try to analyse the conditions for describing the world mathematically. We consider the role played by mathematics in discussing and analysing „the state of the world‟. We use this discussion to clarify what it means to use a mathematical description. We illustrate why the concepts of „mathematical description‟ and „mathematical model‟ are inadequate to evaluate the use of mathematics in decision-making processes. As a result we develop a conceptual framework that is complex enough to match what goes on in scenarios involving applications of mathematics.https://periodicos.ufsc.br/index.php/alexandria/article/view/37422MathematicsApplication of mathematicsMathematical modellingDecision making |
| spellingShingle | Ole Ravn Christensen Ole Skovsmose Keiko Yasukawa The mathematical state of the world – explorations into the characteristics of mathematical descriptions Alexandria Mathematics Application of mathematics Mathematical modelling Decision making |
| title | The mathematical state of the world – explorations into the characteristics of mathematical descriptions |
| title_full | The mathematical state of the world – explorations into the characteristics of mathematical descriptions |
| title_fullStr | The mathematical state of the world – explorations into the characteristics of mathematical descriptions |
| title_full_unstemmed | The mathematical state of the world – explorations into the characteristics of mathematical descriptions |
| title_short | The mathematical state of the world – explorations into the characteristics of mathematical descriptions |
| title_sort | mathematical state of the world explorations into the characteristics of mathematical descriptions |
| topic | Mathematics Application of mathematics Mathematical modelling Decision making |
| url | https://periodicos.ufsc.br/index.php/alexandria/article/view/37422 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT oleravnchristensen themathematicalstateoftheworldexplorationsintothecharacteristicsofmathematicaldescriptions AT oleskovsmose themathematicalstateoftheworldexplorationsintothecharacteristicsofmathematicaldescriptions AT keikoyasukawa themathematicalstateoftheworldexplorationsintothecharacteristicsofmathematicaldescriptions AT oleravnchristensen mathematicalstateoftheworldexplorationsintothecharacteristicsofmathematicaldescriptions AT oleskovsmose mathematicalstateoftheworldexplorationsintothecharacteristicsofmathematicaldescriptions AT keikoyasukawa mathematicalstateoftheworldexplorationsintothecharacteristicsofmathematicaldescriptions |