The Place Where There is No Math

Although the Pirahã people lack mathematical knowledge and do not use quantities as we do, assuming they lack intelligence would be a mistake.

IN THIS ARTICLE

• Can you imagine waking up in a place where numbers are not utilized? Is such a place possible? Can we find a location where numbers are absent?
• The Pirahã tribe, an Amazon-native community, has no concept of mathematical numbers in their language. This tribe represents one of the rare global communities that lack numerical words and mathematical concepts in their linguistic structure.
• What sets the Pirahã apart is their contentment with what they have and their lack of envy towards the possessions of others. Unlike other tribes, they do not yearn for the belongings of Brazilians, such as guns or horses.

My father used to tell me a story in which a young boy was searching for a place where nothing like math existed. I'm curious if he crafted it for me or read it elsewhere. However, I still liken those who fear math to that child. Individuals with "math anxiety" spend their lives trying to avoid mathematics and its formulas, which often haunt them.

Numbers are ubiquitous, and a world without them is highly improbable. Consequently, a life devoid of mathematics is unimaginable. In an episode of the…