ABSTRACT

The old humanist group considers pure knowledge to be worthwhile in its own right. In particular, the mathematical old humanists regard mathematics as intrinsically valuable, a central element of culture. Mathematics is a supreme achievement of humankind, ‘queen of the sciences’, a perfect, crystalline body of absolute truth. It is the product of an elite, a small band of genius. Within mathematics rigour, logical proof, structure, abstraction, simplicity, elegance are valued. Based on these values the aim for mathematics education is the communication of mathematics for its own sake. The ideology of this group is separated Relativistic absolutism.