Mathematical Problem Solving through the Lens of Ethics and Aristotelian Attitude: A Case Study

José M. Marbán and Joaquín Fernández-Gago
Additional contact information
José M. Marbán: Department of Didactics of Experimental Sciences, Social Sciences and Mathematics, University of Valladolid, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
Joaquín Fernández-Gago: Department of Didactics of Social Sciences, Experimental Sciences and Mathematics, University of Malaga, 29071 Malaga, Spain

Mathematics, 2022, vol. 10, issue 15, 1-18

Abstract: Attitudes are central to the affective domain in mathematics. However, we still have a long way to go to reach a clear consensus on the characterization of such construct and its operationalization, as there are a wide variety of intertwined approaches depending on the theoretical framework that accompanies each of them. In this article, we explore the idea of incorporating ethics as part of a new characterization of attitude in problem solving contexts by means of an instrumental case study consisting of a key informant 10th grade student. Data were collected via classroom observations, questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and written productions. Results were analyzed using the lens of Aristotelian Ethics and the Theory of Creative Intelligence and show how happiness, responsibility and strength are key concepts that help to describe and understand the way the student behaves when solving mathematical problems. We conclude that besides the traditional attention paid to attitudes towards math, it is worth directing our attention towards attitudes influenced by ethics and personal affect as a whole.

Keywords: attitude; ethics; case study; mathematics; problem solving (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7390/10/15/2565/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7390/10/15/2565/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jmathe:v:10:y:2022:i:15:p:2565-:d:869776

Access Statistics for this article

Mathematics is currently edited by Ms. Emma He

More articles in Mathematics from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().