ew Mathematics has been a slogan for a decade. Modern mathemtics, interpreted according to the letter, kills education; interpreted according to its spirit, it may give life. The author places mathematics into its historical, developmental, and social context, and mathematics education into the context of general education, as it has developed and still continues to develop. At he summit of scientific production ot os gemera;;y acknowledged that mathematics is an activity rather than a well-established stock of knowledge.