Chapter 19: Formatting Power of “Mathematics in a Package”: A Challenge for Social Theorising?

In this chapter we, firstly, want to give an example of “mathematics in a package” to which we relate most of the rest of our considerations. The package we will open and look into is an encryption package used for the secure transfer of files and emails over the Internet. In particular, we will locate some of its mathematical content. In this way we want to clarify the question “What is in the package”

Secondly, we want to emphasise that this package is embedded in reality unlike many of mathematical theorem and results normally do. Although the package represents knowledge, and mathematical knowledge in particular, it does not operate simply as a cluster of theoretical knowledge. It becomes relevant to ask: “Whose package is it?” as it has become part of our social and economic reality.

Thirdly, we want to clarify the question “What could be done by means of the package.” In the clarification we will be more specific about the thesis of the formatting power of mathematics, which claims that mathematics operates almost everywhere, and that this operation has a social significance. The aspects of the formatting power which we will examine are: (1) By means of mathematics it is possible to provide new spaces for socio-technological action. (2) By means of mathematics it is possible to investigate details of a hypothetical situation. (3) Mathematics becomes “locked in” in reality and becomes inseparable from other aspects of society.

Fourthly, we want to discuss the question: “What do these observations mean for social theorising?” In particular, we will consider what our observations related to the formatting power of mathematics may have of implications for social theorising in general. An understanding of how mathematics may be operating is not only of relevance for the philosophy and the sociology of mathematics, but also for social theorising in general. In particular, notions like “trust,” “risk” and “reflexivity” must include the study of mathematics based technological actions in order to interpret the social and political dynamics of the “information” of “network” society.