The philosophy of mathematics and mathematics education

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Abstract
It is suggested that the philosophy of mathematics is relevant to mathematics education (1) because the philosophical schools of thought have a direct bearing on educational issues and (2) because new entrants to teaching may bring with them undiluted theoretical views on the nature of mathematics. The views of the following five schools of thought are sketched: Logicism, Formalism, Constructivism, Platonism and Falliblism. Subsequently the relationship between these views and certain current issues in mathematics education is discussed. It is concluded that each of the views provides insights as to the nature of mathematics, but that Falliblism is perhaps the only viewpoint compatible with humane mathematics education.

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