Side discussion about 'objectivity' and 'truth'

From Kaput Center Wiki

Nancy Ares, Corey Brady, Jerry Goldin, and John Selden had an interesting discussion over dinner about issues of 'truth' and 'objectivity' in mathematics and in education research. We talked extensively about truth in mathematics, and challenges posed by other 'paradigms' such as radical constructivism and critical theory. We discussed scientific methods of research, 'validity' vs. 'viability', issues of generalizability, and how research findings in our field can or should influence policy decisions. These are foundational issues of epistemology and methodology in our field.

CB: For me, a key realization was that a critical-theoretical perspective could do real, measurable damage to the practice of mathematics education in classrooms. Relativistic thinking had always appeared to me as a "tame" tool, and even as a valuable one in *making* connections between areas of inquiry in different fields. At a personal level, as a graduate student in Pure Mathematics who turned to a study of English Literature and Cultural Studies, I had the sense that there was a value in a disciplined, "outsider" perspective that nevertheless respects the standards of research and inquiry in the field under consideration... [CB: Draft Interrupted -- will continue later]