All throughout middle and high school, my peers and I have always asked our math teachers, "When am I going to use this though?" This question was generally met with the same answer as always: "You're learning problem solving." Otherwise, it would be dismissed entirely. Thus, I never wanted to be in math class. I've known since I was in the fifth grade that I have wanted to be a writer or to go in a creative field, so I saw no need to learn higher level math that I really only saw as necessary to learn for people who were going to be architects or engineers.
However, Socrates states that "calculation thrusts the soul upward"(Plato 220). He argues that to acquire true wisdom one must study mathematics. Mathematics directs the mind towards abstract truths because numbers exist in the intelligible realm. I find it fascinating that Socrates says "both the soldier and the philosopher must master" mathematics(219). I absolutely adore the art of philosophizing so to say that it is necessary to master math in order to "transcend the world of appearances and reach out to the world of reality" contradicts my beliefs and brings about a kind of conviction to me who has never seen the point of mastering it if the need for it in my career was not obvious(219). My conviction will not lead me to take a calculus class again though, so my apologies to Socrates.
Additionally, I find his argument interesting because I don't know of any philosophy majors who are required to take higher level maths in order to get their degree, apart from prerequisites. Because of Socrates' argument, should we make it a priority for philosophy majors to take and master higher level mathematics?
P.S. I commented on Lily and and Abbie's posts.
You ask an extremely intriguing question, Haylee. During high school, I found all subjects, including math, to be a good way to stave off boredom, so I was able to appreciate math for just being math. Mathematics can be used to explain every physical part of the known world. For philosophy, this is a fantastic first step to explaining things outside of Earth because you can explain the Earth itself. Good post!
ReplyDeleteAs someone who practically can't count to five, I relate to your post more than I really should. I asked this of my math teachers all the time! They always said that when you work out and lift weights, you're getting stronger. You don't lift weights on the softball field in the middle of the game - you're not "using" weight lifting - but it trained you and made you better at softball anyway. And I can safely say as a non-philosophy major, YES! Let's make them take higher level math! Haha.
ReplyDeleteTechnically speaking, the word philosophy means "love of wisdom" so if they consider math to be wisdom, then yes I can understand him wanting philosophers to master math. On the other hand though, I hate math and I would not wish it upon any others unless they have a love for it. I've always been that guy that asked "Why do I need to know Calculus if I'm going to major in psychology?" The answer never came, but I think the major point of taking advanced math if you aren't going to use it is so that you develop methods of taking on difficult problems, so that you can handle them. That's all conjecture, though
ReplyDeleteAs much as I hate to admit it, I think Socrates was on to something. Math and I have a tenuous relationship at best. At worst...it's better left unsaid. I would rather not think about the positive qualities of the discipline. Although, Socrates had an interesting view on the benefits of thinking mathmatically. The more I read, the more his words made sense to me. I can see math as being good practice in thinking beyond the physical world; in viewing things as they actually are and not what they appear to be. However, I am content to leave the philosphyzing to philosophers if it means I don't have to master calculus.
ReplyDeleteI’ve always really hated math and while I can see how it could (might would be a better term . . .) be useful, I’m still going to come out and say that a majority of us will not ever need or use it! Yes, math helps kids develop their problem solving skills, but they are only allowed to do so within the strict rules of the subject. I feel like, even though they have to puzzle things out, in the end, they don’t really gain too much because in math, there is only one correct way and only one correct answer. Brainstorming and problem solving do not work hand-in-hand in math and I feel as if that duo is more useful in the long run. Instead, mathematics teaches its students basic memorization and regurgitation.
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