The most distinctive characteristic which differentiates mathematics from the various branches of empirical science, and which accounts for its fame as the queen of the sciences, is no doubt the peculiar certainty and necessity of its results. In this way, Hempel described a specific feature of modern mathematics. Hempel traced this certainty and this necessity back to the consideration that after Hilbert mathematics has developed towards a formal-abstract science, which does not need ontological bounding to reality (physical space) anymore but is based solely on logical consistency. However, at school mathematics still is not and cannot be taught in this abstract form for various reasons, here the usage of illustrative material, diagrams and real-world application is essential. From a constructivist point of view, students in this environment construct a so-called ``empirical-concrete” mathematical worldview on the basis of real objects than a ``formal-abstract” worldview as it is described by Hempel. This ``empiricalconcrete” mathematical worldview, on an epistemologically level, is quite close to the natural sciences; one could speak of mathematics in modern school as something like a ``quasi-natural science”. Questions regarding core beliefs, terms and processes of natural sciences (education) in general and physics (education) in particular are of eminent importance to mathematics teachers from this point of view and open a whole range of possibilities for further discussions and cooperation at the crossroads.
Afshari,M and Kashefi,H . (2025). Mathematics—A “Quasi-natural Science” at School?. Towards Mathematical Sciences, 5(1), 58-67. doi: 10.22067/tmsj.2025.93757.1066
MLA
Afshari,M , and Kashefi,H . "Mathematics—A “Quasi-natural Science” at School?", Towards Mathematical Sciences, 5, 1, 2025, 58-67. doi: 10.22067/tmsj.2025.93757.1066
HARVARD
Afshari M, Kashefi H. (2025). 'Mathematics—A “Quasi-natural Science” at School?', Towards Mathematical Sciences, 5(1), pp. 58-67. doi: 10.22067/tmsj.2025.93757.1066
CHICAGO
M Afshari and H Kashefi, "Mathematics—A “Quasi-natural Science” at School?," Towards Mathematical Sciences, 5 1 (2025): 58-67, doi: 10.22067/tmsj.2025.93757.1066
VANCOUVER
Afshari M, Kashefi H. Mathematics—A “Quasi-natural Science” at School?. tmsj. 2025;5(1):58-67 (In Persian). doi: 10.22067/tmsj.2025.93757.1066
