Performatives

Mathematical performatives are found in all spheres of life. Mathematics does not simply depict reality, but rather formats the natural as well as the social reality that it is assumed to describe. Mathematics fabricates the mechanical worker as a gear to be incorporated in the clockwork-like production machinery. Mathematics contributes to the sanctification of norms, for instance with respect to health, beauty, and productivity. Mathematics is used for splitting up practices into a surface practice requiring a few competences, and a deep practice operating with complex sets of mathematical algorithms. Mathematics is formatting our future—for instance, by providing means for constructing climate models and for completing experimental forecasting. Mathematics and power are interacting phenomena, but mathematics tends to disguise this interaction. By means of mathematics it is possible to identify cases of injustice and, in this way, articulation of social justice also becomes one of the possible performatives of mathematics.