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Are you interested in considering the ethical implications of a mathematician's work and career?
Are you interested in considering the ethical implications of a mathematician's work and career?
This page contains theory, perspective, and actions that I value.
See my Teaching page for resources on a pedagogy of "re-humanizing math."
(this page is incomplete and under construction)
Theory
Theory
math-in-jest.pdf"Doing Math in Jest: Reflections on Useless Math, the Unreasonable Effectiveness of Mathematics, and the Ethical Obligations of Mathematicians" by Gizem Karaali.
"Mathematicians, especially pure mathematicians, have for too long been able to have their cake and eat it too. We have avoided accepting responsibility for the actions of government agencies and yet continued to seek grants from the very same. We have regularly maintained that our work was useless, inconsequential, when it came to helping or hurting people, communities, and other living creatures, and yet we have also argued that one day our work might have some useful applications so we as mathematicians are useful and should continue to be employed by the public. In short we have claimed to be useful mathematicians doing useless mathematics.
One of these days we’ll need to be honest with everyone, including ourselves."
Many more readings can be found in Allison Miller's list of resources on ethics in mathematics
Perspective
Perspective
“Mathematicians are very social, and there is plenty of overt transphobia, misogyny, homophobia, and racism plainly visible in the things academics say on social media. There is a dangerous amount of tolerance of intolerable people in academia based on the principle that we are all dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge and beauty and that a person’s academic work makes them a person worthy of mutual respect. This principle is wrong.”
"The pursuit of knowledge and beauty is admirable, but it should not be undertaken at the expense of the bodies and souls of marginalized people. If my work would result in violence I would abandon it."
Action!
Action!
a collection of impactful math organizations
a collection of impactful math organizations
BEAM (Bridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics) is an organization working to create pathways for underserved students to become scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and computer scientists. They create supportive community, provide academic counseling, and organize rigorous summer programs and enriching year-round activities.
The Bard Prison Initiative creates and protects academic spaces in seven NY state prisons. Through this program, incarcerated people can earn the same liberal arts degree which I did on campus at Bard College. My undergraduate math professors also taught in nearby prisons. For more details, Matt Junge very beautifully tells a story of his teaching experience in prisons.
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