Description: |
In today's society, mathematics is present more widely than ever
before, but this fact is rarely acknowledged, even by mathematicians.
This is not an easy matter since the image of mathematics
is often distorted, and obstructs the correct perception of
its role by a lack of understanding of what mathematics is really
about and how it functions and develops.
One has to analyse what makes mathematics special
among the sciences and why the development of modern societies
requires more mathematics. But one also needs to better understand
how mathematics is perceived by groups of people that have to deal
with it in some way or another.
Elaborating on the ordinary perception of mathematics, I will present
what I see as a basis for a new relationship between mathematics
and the society at large. Area(s):
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