The Philosophy of Mathematics Education

Abstract

• Brief analysis of the philosophy of mathematics education including multiple ways of interpreting it and some of its central questions and problems. • The varying roles of philosophy in mathematics education research including applications of concepts from branches of philosophy and philosophical styles of analysis and thinking. • Introduction to critical mathematics education, an area of research concerned with critical and social justice issues that is a central strand in the philosophy of mathematics education. • An update on the philosophy of mathematical practice, a vital, emerging movement in contemporary philosophy of mathematics. • A case study is included of how one strand of research in the philosophy in mathematics education has developed in one country recently. We have chosen Brazil because it is very active in this area of research, drawing on the special knowledge of several of our authors.