🚀 go-pugleaf

I thought some of the ethical math agenda was on 
target, regardless of whether or not I agreed 
with David Kaufman on specifics -- lots of times
I didn't.

The point is to show how mathematics is used to
bring policies and programs from the drawing 
boards into real world implementation phase.  
And if you think the policies are misguided and
should be stopped, you'd do well to show why on 
mathematical grounds.  Either way, pro or con,
your ability to marshall your arguments in ways 
that draw on mathematical reasoning is central.

I think partly why people get so emotional around 
ethical issues is precisely because their math 
skills are weak and they don't have cogent arguments 
for their views, and so substitute a lot of bluster
and harsh language.

Were our citizenry better versed in "matters 
mathematical" (Gilbert & Sullivan song) we'd likely 
be enjoying a higher standard of living by now -- 
like my syllabus shows that we could have already 
created a relative utopia by this time, but 
because of a weak-minded curriculum, we're still 
slogging through the mud.  Oh well.

Kirby
Curriculum writer
4D Solutions

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Forwarded to moderator for reposting to 
k12.ed.math 14 Dec 97
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Kirby T. Urner  http://www.teleport.com/~pdx4d/kirby.html
4D Solutions    http://www.teleport.com/~pdx4d/  [PGP OK]
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