ABSTRACT
This chapter challenges the idea and claims that mathematics has a dark side. Mathematics is overvalued in society which leads to negative consequences, and describes three ways in which it causes harm. It argues that mathematics and mathematics professionals must first acknowledge this dark side before they can start to act on reducing and countering the harm done in society. Thus, the overvaluation of mathematics leads to the wastage of human power in the workforce, contributes to the reproduction of social inequality and leads to negative attitudes and reduced self-confidence with regard to mathematics, as well as, for some, reducing full participation in their democratic society. The chapter also argues that despite its great benefits and intrinsic virtues, mathematics is overvalued in modern society and that this causes harm. The 'numeracy plus' curriculum for all that put mathematical tools for comprehending the uses and abuses of mathematics in society into the hands of a well-informed critical citizenry.
