WHY THIS STUDY?

There is a general problem about the popularization of science. Science is developing very fast, yet public understanding of science is only growing slowly. Science is involved in new technologies and, as a result, in the everyday life and work of almost everyone in the world, but it appears very distant and inaccessible to most people. Science occurs or should occur in the decision-making of nations and of local bodies and institutions, and an informed citizen, whatever his or her occupation, should have some understanding of the crucial points on which these strategical choices are or should be based. However, there is now an increasing divergence between the advancement of science and the general scientific understanding of the vast majority of human beings.

Popularization of science therefore is a democratic and economic need and the provision of it may well be one of the decisive social challenges in the future.

What about mathematics? Mathematics is taught at school, it occurs at every level of higher education, it interacts more and more with other sciences, technologies and industries. Everyone knows the universal value of mathematical formulas. If 2+2=4 is such a familiar example, it is not because it is true or false, but because it is understood exactly in the same way in all parts of the world.