Proceedings of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education · Volume 1
Amedeo Matteucci, Ilaria Veronesi, Francesco Saverio Tortoriello
University of Salerno
⬇ Download PDFIn this theoretical study, starting from the observation that AI systems can successfully solve mathematical problems without understanding them, we argue that this contrast forces a re-examination of the specificity of human mathematical sense making. We review influential accounts of embodied cognition, starting with Lakoff and Núñez’s proposal, and we contrast this perspective with Radford’s Theory of Objectification. Building on the latter, we focus on mathematical debate as a paradigmatic form of collective embodiment. We articulate four intertwined dimensions—objectification, subjectification, cultural-historical reenactment, and dialectical tension—showing how sense making becomes ethically and politically charged.
Activity TheoryAIdebateembodimentTheory of Objectification