Chapter 23: Social Justice and Mathematics Education: Issues, Dilemmas, Excellence and Equity

This article explores reasons for educational research and practice in social justice from evolutionary, ideological and philosophical viewpoints. The tension between nihilistic and empathetic tendencies within our history is used to reflexively examine the origins and causes of inequity with emphasis on the works of giants such as Paolo Freire, John Dewey, Karl Marx, and Vivekananda. Finally we address one particular issue in depth, namely the tension between excellence and equity in talent development in schools, east and west.