Article Title
Violence in Mathematics Teaching. Reflections Inspired by Levinas’ Totality and Infinity
Abstract / Synopsis
In mathematics class, violence is carried out in some usually not recognized situations. In this article, I share some reflections on the topic inspired by some passages of Totality and Infinity, work of the French-Lithuanian philosopher Emmanuel Levinas (1906-1995). I find violence by the teacher in not promoting students’ understanding of mathematics, in a distorted use of rhetoric, and in interrupting an ethical relation. This article analyses situations taken from class activities, focusing on the teacher’s presentation of mathematical content and students’ interventions. I also propose that the improvement of interventions in mathematics education is possible and suggest theoretical ideas for acting on situations of violence.
DOI
10.5642/jhummath.CJDW2311
Recommended Citation
Adriano Demattè, "Violence in Mathematics Teaching. Reflections Inspired by Levinas’ Totality and Infinity," Journal of Humanistic Mathematics, Volume 12 Issue 2 (July 2022), pages 72-97. DOI: 10.5642/jhummath.CJDW2311. Available at: https://scholarship.claremont.edu/jhm/vol12/iss2/7
