Prof blames mathematics for 'global disparities in wealth'

**Banacek** · 06-19-2018, 04:42 PM

A professor at the University of Exeter claims in a new textbook that learning mathematics can cause “collateral damage” to society by training students in "ethics-free thought."

“The Ethics of Mathematics: Is Mathematics Harmful” was written by University of Exeter Professor Paul Ernest, and published as a chapter in a 2018 textbook he edited called The Philosophy of Mathematics Education Today.

Despite the myriad benefits math offers to society—such as increased scientific knowledge and improved healthcare, allowing us to live longer and happier lives—Ernest warns of three ways mathematics education causes “collateral damage” to society.

First, Ernest asserts that “the nature of pure of mathematics itself leads to styles of thinking that can be damaging when applied beyond mathematics to social and human issues,” since math facilitates “detached” and “calculative” reasoning

Would the professor use mathematics if he thought the finance charge on his credit charge was too large ?

https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=11035

**noonwitch** · 06-20-2018, 09:48 AM

The article didn't say if he is actually a Math professor or if he is a sociology professor commenting on math. That's my first question.

Math is math. I don't understand Algebra or anything higher than that, except Geometry, but there are plenty of people who do, and they don't seem to be limited to one gender or race.

Stop looking for racism where it doesn't exist.

**ralph wiggum** · 06-20-2018, 10:53 AM

Math and the related fields of accounting & actuaries have no bias. Facts are facts.

You're correct, Noonie. Some have a knack for it, others simply don't. It isn't racist, misogynistic, xenophobic, etc.