The Ocularcentric Paradigm in Mathematics: Historical Roots and Contemporary Consequences

Source abstract

Although recent decades have observed rapid developments in technology, communication, and educational practice, contemporary culture remains deeply shaped by the so-called ocularcentric paradigm: the assumption that sight is the principal sense and that knowledge is fundamentally derived from visual inspection. This approach is particularly pronounced in mathematics, a discipline commonly associated with demonstrable certainty, while also being frequently regarded as dependent upon graphical representation of abstract ideas. As a result, mathematical activity is often non-accessible to individuals with low or no sight. This paper seeks to challenge this pervasive misconception. It first traces the historical emergence of ocularcentrism, with particular attention to its entrenchment in Western intellectual traditions. It then examines a selection of notable contributions by blind scientists over the past three centuries, highlighting the generative, structural influence that blindness exerted on their cognitive approaches, research practices, and innovative achievements. By foregrounding these often-overlooked epistemic dynamics, the paper argues for a reconsideration of blindness not as a deficit, but as a potentially productive mode of engaging with mathematical thought.