The Ethical and Sustainable Concerns Triangle: A Framework for Navigating Discourses in Mathematics and Its Education

Abstract

The literature on ethics and sustainability in mathematics and its education is increasingly complex and fragmented, potentially leading to communication breakdowns between different scholarly traditions. To address this, the paper introduces the "Ethical and Sustainable Concerns Triangle," a framework that maps discourses based on their relative concern for three areas (represented as three vertices in the triangle): "Mathematics", "Community", and "Society/Planet". By integrating a systems theoretic perspective, we analyse discourses as dynamic systemic reactions to external irritations. Our analysis reveals that the field's fragmentation can be explained by the "location effect": the phenomenon whereby a discourse's position within the triangle shapes its perception and acceptance of other scholarship. By mapping key discourses and educator archetypes, the framework functions as a meta-heuristic tool. Ultimately, it serves not only to facilitate critical reflection but also as a call for the epistemic humility and dialogue needed to advance the field.