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03 C K Raju PDF
03 C K Raju PDF
C. K. RAJU*
L
earning difficulties with math are widespread. This
paper reports on a study which has (a) identified The new answer locates the cause in the nature of
the origin of the learning difficulties with math in a the subject. The Western philosophy of math was
novel way, (b) proposed an alternative, and (c) tested the religiously oriented; hence theological complexities got
feasibility of teaching that alternative for the case of the intertwined with present-day math. This has made math
calculus course currently taught at the 12th std and first difficult.
year university level. The idea of math as religiously oriented may seem
surprising. However, the very word “mathematics” derives
The Analysis
from “mathesis”, which means recollection of knowledge
To remedy an ailment, the first step is to understand from previous lives. In Plato’s Meno, 1 Socrates
its causes. Why, then, is math difficult? Learning difficulties demonstrates mathesis by questioning an uneducated
with mathematics are offhand put down to sundry causes— slave boy to elicit his innate knowledge of mathematics.
lack of good teachers, lack of “mathematical aptitude”, etc. This, concludes Socrates, is proof that the boy has an
No doubt an inspired teacher can make any subject immortal soul which got that innate knowledge from
interesting; however, such “causes” do not explain why previous lives. Why math, and not some other form of
knowledge? Because mathematics was believed to
* School of Mathematical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, incorporate eternal truths which most readily aroused the
11800, Penang, Malaysia, e-mail : ckr@ckraju.net eternal (immortal) soul, as Plato stated.2 Arousing the soul