New Group: Association for the Philosophy of Mathematical Practice

On the weekend I was fortunate to attend the first meeting of a new group: the Association for the Philosophy of Mathematical Practice. This group aims to promote a somewhat different approach to the philosophy of mathematics than what has become standard. As the statement of purpose of the group puts it,

Over the last few years approaches to the philosophy of mathematics that focus on mathematical practice have been thriving. Such approaches include the study of a wide variety of issues concerned with the way mathematics is done, evaluated, and applied, and in addition, or in connection therewith, with historical episodes or traditions, applications, educational problems, cognitive questions, etc. We suggest using the label “philosophy of mathematical practice” as a general term for this gamut of approaches, open to interdisciplinary work.

In 2009, a group of researchers in this field gathered to promote the creation of the Association for the Philosophy of Mathematical Practice, APMP. This association aims to become a common forum that will stimulate research in philosophy of mathematics related to mathematical activity, past and present, and foster joint actions.

The goals of APMP are:

● to foster the philosophy of mathematical practice, that is, a broad outward-looking approach to the philosophy of mathematics which engages with mathematics in practice (including issues in history of mathematics, the applications of mathematics, cognitive science, etc.);
● to gather a group of interested people that forms a coherent community, and makes us more visible to the wider communities of, e.g., philosophers of science, historians of mathematics, mathematics educationalists, etc.;
● to stimulate research in philosophy of mathematics related to mathematics in practice, and enhance our opportunities for developing research projects;
● to facilitate the exchange of information among us in all kinds of ways, and stimulate common projects, meetings, etc.

The quality of the papers of the conference was quite high and showed, I hope, the potential for fruitful cooperation in the philosophy of mathematics between philosophers, historians, cognitive scientists, sociologists, etc.

Anyone interested in joining the association can contact me or one of the organizers listed on the site above. The next planned meeting is scheduled to occur at the Nancy Congress in July. I will post more details as they become available!