Beauty in mathematics
Promotie: dhr. U. Montaño Juarez, 16.15 uur, Academiegebouw, Broerstraat 5, Groningen
Proefschrift: Beauty in mathematics
Promotor(s): prof.dr. T.A.F. Kuipers, prof.dr. I. Douven
Faculteit: Wijsbegeerte
Contact: Ulianov Montaño, tel. 050-363 6154, e-mail: m.j.ulianov@rug.nl
Beauty in mathematics
The aim of Ulianov Montaño’s thesis is to account for expressions like ‘Cantor’s diagonal proof is elegant’ or ‘Euler identity is the most beautiful formula of mathematics’. This type of expressions is common among mathematicians; however, they may result in two kinds of puzzled reactions: first, the non mathematician may find the use of the word ‘beautiful’ strange in this context. Second, the mathematician may try to reinterpret mathematical beauty in terms of the principles and precepts of mathematics itself.
Montaño presents an account of mathematical beauty that offers a way to avoid these puzzled reactions: mathematical beauty is just a type of ‘normal’ beauty and no reinterpretation is necessary. To support this claim, Montaño devises an aesthetic theory -by using insights and findings from experimental psychology, neurology, philosophical and psychological theories of emotion in art, philosophy of music and philosophy of science - that shows that aesthetic judgments in mathematics are genuine aesthetic judgments.
Last modified: | 13 March 2020 01.14 a.m. |
More news
-
24 March 2025
UG 28th in World's Most International Universities 2025 rankings
The University of Groningen has been ranked 28th in the World's Most International Universities 2025 by Times Higher Education. With this, the UG leaves behind institutions such as MIT and Harvard. The 28th place marks an increase of five places: in...
-
05 March 2025
Women in Science
The UG celebrates International Women’s Day with a special photo series: Women in Science.
-
16 December 2024
Jouke de Vries: ‘The University will have to be flexible’
2024 was a festive year for the University of Groningen. In this podcast, Jouke de Vries, the chair of the Executive Board, looks back.