Teaching mathematics with the use of the history of mathematics: Some opportunities offered by the world of psychophysics

The history of mathematics may be useful in education and represent a support in mathematics teaching mainly in two directions: on the one hand, arousing the students’ interest in mathematics and, on the other hand, stimulating the reflection about mathematical concepts and methods. This work shows how the figure of Gustav Theodor Fechner (1801-1887) and the discipline of psychophysics which he founded should rightly constitute a chapter of the history of nineteenth century mathematics to be adequately re-evaluated also in the context of secondary school and university mathematics teaching (including teacher training). We will focus on the opportunities which a deep analysis of Fechner’s contribution can offer in mathematics education of today.