Preface to Part II Ernest’s Reflections on Theories of Learning

Abstract

Philosophy has always maintained an intricate relationship with mathematics. It was also implicitly accepted that the philosophical positions of a bearer influence his/her view on mathematics and its teaching, which leads us into the domain of beliefs theory. However the centrality of philosophy and its intricate relationship to theory development in mathematics education only came about two decades ago when Paul Ernest and Hans-Georg Steiner each independently became aware of the importance of epistemological issues that impact the teaching and learning of mathematics.