Math Education and the problem of fragmentation of knowledge

[PseuTonym]

Let’s approach this from the perspective of history. Given the importance of Islamic Civilization in the development of Algebra, let us quickly look at what is required to be a scholar of Islam.

Initially, we might be inclined to describe the following as subtopics of the topic Islam:
Sunni, Shia, Sufi, Wahabi

However, they are more than mere subtopics if somebody who has no knowledge whatsoever of any sectarian conflicts among Muslims cannot be considered to be a scholar of Islam.

Now, it may be prudent to ask what scholars of mathematics need to know – to have status as scholars of mathematics – about strained relations and hostile relationships associated with divisions between subtopics of mathematics.

When a comet rips the sky,
From the ancient sea he rises,
Building armies ready to die.
Algebraists facing Mecca
Set Theorists feeling Empty
Number theorists armed with Zero
From subtopic to subdivision,
And from subdivision to war
With brother killing brother,
'Til man exists no more.

 

[Xantippe]

Are you sure this is in the right forum?

 

[PseuTonym]

Are you sure this is in the right forum?

No, I’m not sure. I made a guess after a bit of research:

Choosing Your Forum Wisely

Family Life
talk with peers about marriage, educational concerns, interpersonal relationships, family planning, other aspects of daily family life

I don’t see anything in the description about disclosing personal details and requesting advice, although I have observed many threads of that nature in Family Life.

I selected Family Life because I have observed interesting questions at the beginning of a thread, and excellent, highly intelligent replies that I could not begin to write myself. I know because I tried and – in the time that I spent trying and producing nothing – others posted all sorts of interesting things, well-organized, and clearly explained. I might have not sufficiently appreciated the replies that others posted if I hadn’t been spending time thinking about the questions before seeing the replies.

Also, Family Life seems to move quickly, with old threads dropping away. In contrast, some other forums have threads that are like wounded animals, suffering needlessly.

I am hoping for one or two brief replies, if anybody has a comment.

 

[Gertabelle]

I selected Family Life because I have observed interesting questions at the beginning of a thread, and excellent, highly intelligent replies that I could not begin to write myself.

I am hoping for one or two brief replies, if anybody has a comment.

And your question/premise would be?

Are you concerned about our educational system and its addressing of maths, or are you concerned about the general public’s understanding of Islam, or…???

I am an elementary public school teacher and understand fragmentation of education all too well. :sad_yes: Though that pendulum is starting to swing back the other direction again, thanks be to God!

 

[Mary_Estelle]

Nevertheless, the post was interesting. Peace.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

Let’s approach this from the perspective of history. Given the importance of Islamic Civilization in the development of Algebra, let us quickly look at what is required to be a scholar of Islam.

Initially, we might be inclined to describe the following as subtopics of the topic Islam:
Sunni, Shia, Sufi, Wahabi

However, they are more than mere subtopics if somebody who has no knowledge whatsoever of any sectarian conflicts among Muslims cannot be considered to be a scholar of Islam.

Now, it may be prudent to ask what scholars of mathematics need to know – to have status as scholars of mathematics – about strained relations and hostile relationships associated with divisions between subtopics of mathematics.

When a comet rips the sky,
From the ancient sea he rises,
Building armies ready to die.
Algebraists facing Mecca
Set Theorists feeling Empty
Number theorists armed with Zero
From subtopic to subdivision,
And from subdivision to war
With brother killing brother,
'Til man exists no more.

To your defense I can’t imagine a forum this would fit well in…

But I suppose it should be noted that Muslims have 10 fingers so base ten system is to be expected just like the buhddist and wiccans.

2 teaspoons of hummus plus two teaspoons of hummus still equals four teaspoons of hummus right?

o

 

[PseuTonym]

Are you concerned about our educational system and its addressing of maths

Some textbook writers choose unique titles for their books, and write under collective pseudonyms such as “N. Bourbaki.”

However, others choose generic titles like “Topology”, and the name of the author becomes essential merely to identify the book.

When a book becomes well-known, and the name of the writer is essential in identifying the book, we could be one small step from the writer becoming a cult leader.

However, the education system does more good than harm. It keeps students too busy to wage war. However, when those students graduate with PhDs, they venture out into the world.

The key issue is the transition from subtopics, to subdivisions, to war. For example, what happens when people who specialized in Number Theory run into people who specialized in Set Theory?

 

[heidi_storage]

The key issue is the transition from subtopics, to subdivisions, to war. For example, what happens when people who specialized in Number Theory run into people who specialized in Set Theory?

Duels with abacuses?

 

[Gertabelle]

The key issue is the transition from subtopics, to subdivisions, to war. For example, what happens when people who specialized in Number Theory run into people who specialized in Set Theory?

I’m thinking it might be like an episode of “Big Bang Theory.”

 

[MtnDwellar]

I’m thinking it might be like an episode of “Big Bang Theory.”

“The best number is 73. Why? 73 is the 21st prime number. Its mirror, 37, is the 12th and its mirror, 21, is the product of multiplying 7 and 3… and in binary 73 is a palindrome, 1001001, which backwards is 1001001.”

 

[Monte_RCMS]

Fun thread.

[coffee first.]

 

[Sarcelle]

Let’s approach this from the perspective of history. Given the importance of Islamic Civilization in the development of Algebra, let us quickly look at what is required to be a scholar of Islam.

Initially, we might be inclined to describe the following as subtopics of the topic Islam:
Sunni, Shia, Sufi, Wahabi

However, they are more than mere subtopics if somebody who has no knowledge whatsoever of any sectarian conflicts among Muslims cannot be considered to be a scholar of Islam.

Now, it may be prudent to ask what scholars of mathematics need to know – to have status as scholars of mathematics – about strained relations and hostile relationships associated with divisions between subtopics of mathematics.

When a comet rips the sky,
From the ancient sea he rises,
Building armies ready to die.
Algebraists facing Mecca
Set Theorists feeling Empty
Number theorists armed with Zero
From subtopic to subdivision,
And from subdivision to war
With brother killing brother,
'Til man exists no more.

Wait.

I see set theory, algebra, number theory.

What? No geometry? Euclidean or otherwise?