2+2=4? Mathematics lost between the pit...

This essayproblematises the epistemic status of mathematical knowledge. It is based onthe observation that essentialist epistemologies provide no solid basis whilerelativist epistemologies have not yet convincingly succeeded to explain theobjectivity of mathematical knowledge. I will start with three examples frompopular media which illustrate that awareness for the problem discussed herehas already reached the interested public. I will shortly address popularanswers to the problem, only to refute them. I will end the essay bydiscussions which stay close to the example of 2+2=4, ending with thepresentation of possible directions for further understanding and research.