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  • 19 - Reading Mathematical Proofs as Narratives

  • from VI - Narrative Sensibility and Argument
  • Edited by Mary S. Morgan, London School of Economics and Political Science, Kim M. Hajek, London School of Economics and Political Science, Dominic J. Berry, London School of Economics and Political Science
  • Book:
    Narrative Science
    Published online:
    16 September 2022
    Print publication:
    06 October 2022, pp 391-404
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  • Summary

    Mathematical proofs and narratives may seem to be opposites. Indeed, deductive arguments have been highlighted as clear examples of non-narrative sequences by narrative theorists. I claim that there are important similarities between mathematical proofs and narrative texts. Narrative texts are read in a quite distinct way, and I argue that mathematical proofs are often read like narrative texts by research mathematicians. In this way, narratives play an important role in mathematical knowledge-making. My argument draws on recent empirical data on how mathematicians read proofs. Furthermore, my examination of mathematical proofs and narratives provides an account of what it means for research mathematicians to understand mathematical proofs.