Reflexivity
Rolfe Windward (IBALWIN who-is-at mvs.oac.ucla.edu)
Mon, 16 Oct 95 07:21 PDT
Jay and David's comments on the language of mathematics raise an interesting
point also discussed by Michael Chapman (1993). Mathematics and other forms
of formal logic may not simply be an extension of everyday language use but
may also alter and/or conflict with some "fundamental" rules of everyday
dialogue (e.g., Grice's conversational maxims and/or Harmon's belief
revision pattern). If this is the case, then perhaps difficulties with
learning mathematics are as much a problem of it's similarity to language as
it's difference; i.e., it's not just a problem of accommodation, it's a
problem of recognition.
Chapman, M. (1993). Everyday Reasoning and the Revision of Belief. In J. M.
Puckett & H. W. Reese (Eds.), _Mechanisms of Everyday Cognition_ (pp. 95-
113). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Rolfe Windward
UCLA GSE&IS
ibalwin who-is-at mvs.oac.ucla.edu