John Stigall

Euphemia Lofton Haynes was a renowned mathematician and mathematics educator, and notably the first Black American woman to complete a PhD in mathematics, which was not widely known until the late 20th century and early 21st century. Even less well known are her interactions with the philosophy of logic and mathematics. In fact, as evidenced by her academic career, addresses to mathematics educators, and personal testimony, Haynes’ approach to mathematics education was informed by philosophical views that she developed over the course of her life. This article examines the development of Haynes’ views and the manner in which she applied said views in the field of mathematics education. The major themes that develop out of her addresses are a characterization of mathematics as involving abstract thinking, a form of pluralistic constructivism, an opposition to mathematics as mere calculation, and a unique notion of ‘mathematizing life’.

Many philosophical theories of causation are egalitarian, rejecting a distinction between causes and mere causal conditions. We sought to determine the extent to which people's causal judgments discriminate, selecting as causes counternormal events—those that violate norms of some kind—while rejecting non-violators. We found significant selectivity of this sort. Moreover, priming that encouraged more egalitarian judgments had little effect on subjects. We also found that omissions are as likely as actions to be judged as causes, and that counternormative selectivity appears to apply equally to actions and omissions.