인식론의 신경 생물학적 고찰 및 수학 활동과 관련된 두뇌의 활성화

Neurobiological Aspects of Epistemology and Brain Areas related to Mathematical Activities

본고에서는 인식론의 여러 분야인 선천주의(nativism), 경험주의(empiricism), 구성주의(constructivism) 등이 신경생물학적으로 어떻게 대응되어 나타나는가를 고찰하고, 그들 주장의 장단점을 살펴본다. 두 번째로 위의 이론들을 통해 수학교육의 기본이 되는 수인지(numerical/mathematical cognitipn) 분야를 소개하고 현재 연구 동향과 수학교육에의 적용을 모색한다. 이어서 fMRI 등의 뇌영상 촬영기법 등을 통해 현재까지 알려진 기초 대수적 활동과 관련된 두뇌 영역을 확정해보고자 한다.

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.