• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.237-252
• /
• 2013

The philosophy of science of Bachelard is introduced mainly with epistemological obstacles in the discussions within mathematics education. In his philosophy, epistemological obstacles are connected with the dialectical developments of science. Science progresses through generalization of concepts and theories by negating things which were recognized as obvious. These processes start with ruptures against the existing knowledge. Epistemological obstacles are failure in keeping distance with the existing knowledge when reorganization is needed. This concept means that there are the inherent difficulties in the processes of concept formation. Finally I compare the view of Bachelard on the developments of science and the 'interiorization-condensation-objectification' scheme of reflexive abstraction in mathematics education and discuss the inherent difficulties in the learning mathematics.