I conclude that mathematics is considered socially important mainly because it is useful, but that a central part of this usefulness is in trying to understand the widest and most general aspects of the physical world - a sort of nong-utilitarian, intellectual purpose and that all the principal users of mathematics are mediated through understanding. Mathematics should not be regarded as a tool rather as a pair of binoculars i.e. an instrument for looking at the world. Chriss Ormell