math=the art of wonder!

My definition of "math"= The pursuit of Truth...the art of wonder.

In ancient times, "philosophers"sought to find truth and consistency in the world around them, seeking order and patterns, like the rotation of the seasons, the life cycle of a tree, etc. This was considered the study of mathematics. It included the study of astronomy, music, and others as well as the acceptable "math" subjects of today: geometry and arithmetic. The world around them was studied and observed and observations became hypothesis, theory and then a few of them achieved the status of "laws". They did not limit their study to anything, finding consistency and patterns in things from cooking, to astronomy, to religion, to accounting.

I love the passage in the LDS Doctrine & Covenants 88: 77-80, 118 (see also my posting of "Science and religion"):

Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand;
Of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms–
That ye may be prepared in all things when I shall send you again to magnify the calling whereunto I have called you,
and the MISSION with which I have commissioned you...
As and all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another
words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom;
seek learning even by study and also by faith.

The problem with today's mathematics is that we are feeding the "laws" to our children without helping them through the marvelous process of observation, the "why" of what mathematics is all about...and then we wring our hands in frustration as they don't seem to grasp the little tricks we have been taught to manipulate these laws!...crazy.

We are limiting our understanding of the world by not encouraging the "why", the wonder of observation, and the marvel of discovering patterns and connections all around, what I like to call "ah-hahs!" on every level. From a child's delight at finding a bud poking out of the ground that they planted the winter before or the difference between snowflakes as they seek to find two that are identical, to the years of study that yielded the concept of calculus...these are all connected and valid paths to the pursuit of truth, ...if they are allowed to blossom.

Thus, it is with heavy heart and frustration that I hear the ever-growing cry, "I hate math!" and realize that the art of wonder is being lost.