Intrinsic discordance of mathematics: the case of trickle -down lending

Abstract

This document pretends to describe and analyze a current risk situation, which broadly reveals an example of theoretical arguments presented by Ole Skovsmose about the intrinsic discordance of mathematics about the development of democracy. The risk situation is related to an informal credit system used by many citizens who live in a low socioeconomic class in Colombia. It is analyzed how mathematics operates as a lifeline to many daily human needs, but in the hands of people who put individual profit purposes before, originates the worsening of the social crisis of certain groups of citizens. Therefore, there is a need for a mathematical literacy that leads to establishing and glimpse how mathematics structures current societies.