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Ronald Bools

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Is knowledge gained from mathematics influenced by our culture? Or does it have no relation with our culture?

Does our culture play a role in the knowledge gained from mathematics?

Topics: Mathematics culture philosophy
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    Gail . 50+

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    Aug 25 2012: Mathematics (as opposed to basic arithmetic) Is changing our culture in very profound ways today.

    When we look into the heavens at night, theoretical astro-physicists use the language of math to see if our ideas have merit. If a conclusion is not able to be explained mathematically, it generally stays on the shelf until it can be.

    Take what we are discovering about black holes, as one instance. The math says that when something passes beyond the event horizon, the information in that something does not disappear but rather is spread over the surface in jillions of different copies, suggesting that the world that we see around us is a hologram. (this is over-simplified, but I hope it gives an idea)

    Mathematics began with the cultures that invented it in response to a question asked. Once interesting questions are asked and answered using mathematics, then the culture can be influenced and the two can work hand in hand.

    Given what we know about how reality works, it seems that someone should be inventing a new kind of math soon, to make things easier to understand and to point out more interesting questions. For example, in a multi-dimensional quantum world, 1+1=3 or more.
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    Feyisayo Anjorin 50+

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    Aug 25 2012: Looking at the basics, 1 + 1 = 2

    If you take two eggs from a crate of 12 eggs, you'll have 10 left.

    If you have six couples in a room, that is twelve people.

    These are mathematical facts; and culture's got nothing to do with it.
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    Lejan . 30+

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    TED Translator
    Aug 24 2012: Just imagine we would have 7 fingers on each hand, naturally, and what would have happened to the decimal system by this.
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    Fritzie Reisner 100+

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    Host
    Aug 24 2012: Could you elaborate on what you mean by knowledge gained through mathematics? Are you asking whether the uses to which we put mathematics are influenced by culture? Are you asking, for example, whether conclusions derived through data analysis are more seriously considered or received by some cohorts of people than by others because of their different beliefs and the issues they consider most urgent?

    • Ronald Bools

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      Aug 24 2012: Im asking lets say we learn something from mathematics, is that thing that we have learnt related to our culture? And if so why? Has what we have learnt from mathematics been influenced by our culture?
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        Fritzie Reisner 100+

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        Aug 24 2012: Thanks. I did understand that clearly from your original post. I just do not understand what you mean by it.
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    Hong-Min Yoon

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    Aug 24 2012: In my opinion, math plays a very important role in our society. Actually, I believe that almost anything in this world can be explained or be solved by mathematics. (At least, that's my belief)
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    Debra Smith 200+

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    Aug 24 2012: I fear that even math has some culturally influenced components even if it is just in the respect with which that knowledge is held. For instance, why is it that in certain cultures, chess masters are more common especially when it is known to help with mathematical acquisition?. Why do some cultures allow their kids to study piano to enhance their opportnities.while others do not or cannot?
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