The Evolution of Mathematics: A Rhetorical Approach

Researchers in the humanities and social sciences are recognizing the rhetorical power of mathematical discourse, and this book proposes a novel approach to engaging with mathematics through a theoretical framework that highlights its transformation of the social-material world. G. Mitchell Reyes applies contemporary rhetorical analysis to mathematical discourse, challenging the view that math equals truth and tracing its development from Platos teaching of abstract numbers to Euclidian geometry and the emergence of calculus and algorithms. By bringing mathematics back down to the material-social world, scholars can collaborate with mathematicians to better understand our world and public culture.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 202 pages
Publication date: 28 November 2023
Publisher: Pennsylvania State University Press

The growing recognition among researchers in the humanities and social sciences of the rhetorical power of mathematical discourse is a significant development. Whether it concerns gerrymandering, facial recognition technologies, or racial biases in algorithmic automation, the impact of mathematics on society is becoming increasingly evident. This book offers a novel approach to engaging with and understanding mathematics through a theoretical framework that emphasizes how mathematics shapes the social-material world.

In his study, G. Mitchell Reyes employs contemporary rhetorical analysis to examine mathematical discourse, challenging the notion that math equates to truth. By tracing the historical development of mathematics, from Plato's teachings on abstract numbers to Euclidian geometry, calculus, infinitesimals, imaginary numbers, and algorithms, Reyes reveals that mathematical innovation has always relied on rhetorical practices of making meaning. These practices include analogy, metaphor, and invention, which are used to convey complex ideas and concepts in a more accessible and meaningful way.

It is important to note that mathematics is not a static entity but rather a dynamic and evolving field that shapes reality and our experience of it. Reyes brings mathematics back down to the material-social world, making it possible for scholars of rhetoric, sociology of science, technology, and math to collaborate with mathematicians in order to better understand our material world and public culture. This interdisciplinary approach can lead to new insights and understanding of the complex relationships between mathematics, technology, and society.

In conclusion, the growing awareness of the rhetorical power of mathematical discourse is a significant step forward in our understanding of the role of mathematics in society. This book offers a novel approach to engaging with and understanding mathematics through a theoretical framework that emphasizes how mathematics shapes the social-material world. By collaborating with mathematicians and adopting an interdisciplinary approach, scholars can gain new insights and understanding of the complex relationships between mathematics, technology, and society.

Weight: 320g
Dimension: 153 x 229 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780271094021