Mathematics and Culture: Uniqueness and Universality of Mathematics

Abstract

The article deals with the origin of mathematics and its nature, the degree of dependence of mathematics development on socio-cultural factors, and the dilemma of uniqueness (universality) and plurality (uniqueness) of mathematics. The essence of this “confrontation” is revealed, which consists in the fact that the supporters of uniqueness talk about “experienced” mathematics, which originates and is mastered in the everyday subject activity of a person, and their opponents promote modern “academic” mathematics. The legitimacy of both points of view is substantiated. It is argued that research in ethno-mathematics can be useful in solving the question of what mathematics is: “free mind creation” or the product of “social interactions”? The problem of the appropriateness of referring to the personal experience of students in mathematics which expresses the specificity of their social and cultural-historical practices is defined.