Building a Foundation

Abstract

At a time when “social constructivism,” “radical constructivism,” and “social constructionism” are as commonplace as “mathematics education,” a carefully articulated treatise like The Philosophy of Mathematics Education is timely if not overdue. I recommend it highly for anyone who may value the contributions of philosophers in mathematics education as well as for seasoned critics of constructivism. Paul Ernest offers a remarkably clear critique of the major schools of the philosophy of mathematics in his development of social constructivism. His philosophical position emerges from these critiques as well as from radical constructivism.