Abstract / Synopsis
This article concerns the relationship between mathematics and language, emphasizing the role of analogy both as an expression of a mathematical property and as a source of productive ambiguity in mathematics. An historical discussion is given of the interplay between the notions of logos, litotes, and limit that has implications for our understanding and teaching of Dedekind cuts and, more generally, for a humanistic notion of the role of mathematics within liberal education.
DOI
10.5642/jhummath.201301.10
Rights Information
© William M. Priestley
Recommended Citation
William M. Priestley, "Wandering About: Analogy, Ambiguity and Humanistic Mathematics," Journal of Humanistic Mathematics, Volume 3 Issue 1 (January 2013), pages 115-135. DOI: 10.5642/jhummath.201301.10. Available at: https://scholarship.claremont.edu/jhm/vol3/iss1/10
Terms of Use & License Information
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
