Week 9 Discussion
CMESG40 Years – Edward Doolittle – Mathematics as medicine
This is an interesting read from Doolittle. I had a good laugh reading some of his jokes and stories (UFO abduction, the long fart by the old man, the Blackfoot creation story) and at the same time got me thinking how we can pull mathematics into indigenous culture (p. 127). It was intriguing to see how he explained mathematics into indigenous thought (p. 128)., that although mathematics is all about simplifying, analyzing and breaking down, Indigenous thought is all about developing and building up sophisticated complex responses to complex phenomena such as the weather, healing, and human behavior. The author in all his life had been searching for something he felt was missing in his life as an Indian. He realized how incompatible being an Indian and a mathematician was (p. 122). He finally found enlightenment after listening to some Indian elders at the Indian Health Careers Program. He finally became an indigenous person connecting deeply to his Indian root and mathematics.
The author made mention of ethnomathematics which according to him is an approach between indigenous thought and mathematics as well as reflective and respectful to indigenous tradition. He questioned the role of mathematics in non – indigenous culture. Throughout his writing, he portrays how Indigenous thoughts and mathematics are spiritually connected to one another (the Black Elk’s reference, Ramanujan and Blackfoot creation story, p. 129).
STOP 1
With reference to Black Elk and the Ramanujan story (p. 129), perhaps, mathematics is a spirit connected to one’s indigenous culture. It makes me wonder whether a person is naturally gifted and understanding math comes off easily.
STOP 2
The author on page 122, made mention of his identity as an Indian and being a mathematician in conflict with each other. I wonder why’s that? Can one’s identity affect his ability to do mathematics?
QUESTIONS
1. Can a student be considered mathematically gifted?
2. Relating to your own experience, can you connect a person’s mathematical ability to his indigenous culture?
Hello Milli! I don't believe there exists math gift in genes that one might be born with. A wide range of math attainment is more resulted from the environment. I find it interesting that you say mathematics is about simplifying, analyzing and breaking down while indigenous people perceive it to be developing and building up sophisticated complex responses to complex phenomena. I am wondering if there are two contrasting interpretations about a same mathematical concept, from the main current and the other one from the indigenous side. I am also curious whether indigenous mathematics and modern mathematics are fundamentally irreconcilable.
ReplyDeleteHi Milli,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing about this article. Now I'm intrigued and I want to read it!
I'm interested in this idea of one's identity connected to one's mathematical ability. (On that point, I have to say that I agree with Yunyan that math ability can be learned - growth mindset!) Rather in terms of identity and an interest in mathematics, I think of my own experience with mathematics. I liked (and still like) stories. I liked to role play and read; I enjoy narratives and human relationships. As a student, I did not see any of that in mathematics. Therefore I did not see my identity as one that fit within mathematics. Therefore, I did not pursue it past Grade 11, not because of my 'ability', but because it didn't resonate with me.