Teaching mathematics with a different philosophy. Part 2: Calculus without Limits

TL;DR

This paper advocates for teaching calculus without limits based on zeroism, challenging traditional notions of mathematical perfection, and presents a pedagogical experiment highlighting its advantages despite resistance.

Contribution

It introduces a new philosophy of zeroism for teaching calculus without limits, offering an alternative to traditional Western mathematical concepts.

Findings

Calculus without limits simplifies mathematical understanding.

Zeroism provides a practical alternative to Platonic idealism.

The approach faces cultural resistance due to colonial influences.

Abstract

The example of the calculus is used to explain how simple, practical math was made enormously complex by imposing on it the Western religiously-colored notion of mathematics as "perfect". We describe a pedagogical experiment to make math easy by teaching "calculus without limits" using the new realistic philosophy of zeroism, different from Platonic idealism or formalist metaphysics. Despite its demonstrated advantages, it is being resisted because of the existing colonial hangover.