• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.21-43
• /
• 2010

In this article three types of neuro-biological epistemology have been studied and applied to mathematics. Nativism or innatism is favored by many evolutionary psychologists and some mathematicians. They believe domain specific brain functions or modules, particularly language faculty and number instinct in infants. Number/mathematical cognition is a new research area and scientists try to localize areas related with mathematics. Selectionism has adopted Darwinism to synapse growth and supports neuronal regression. Mathematical creativity can be explained using selectionism. Neural constructivism has originated from J. Piaget and supports neuronal/synapse growth in children or adults if adequate exercise and practise is given. Unlike Piaget, neural constructivists accepts the importance of structured experience for the reorganization of brain. Authors opinion is all these theories of epistemology is equally important and they all give insights on how the brain and self is made.