Visual and Logical Beauty in Mathematics

Year: 2010 Authors: László Lovász

Core claim

Mathematics has two major forms of beauty—visual and logical—and both are central, interconnected sources of aesthetic value.

Topics

mathematical beauty, visual aesthetics, logical elegance, geometry

Domains

geometry, fractals, non-geometric mathematics, architecture, mosaics, visual art

Methods

lecture presentation, historical examples, aesthetic comparison

Media

Greek buildings, Alhambra mosaics, fractal images

Paper text

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Bridges 2010: Mathematics, Music, Art, Architecture, Culture

Visual and Logical Beauty in Mathematics

László Lovász Eötvös Loránd University Budapest, Hungary

Abstract

From the harmony of proportions in Greek buildings, to the mosaics of the Alhambra, to fractals, many visually beautiful objects have a deep mathematical background. But even non-geometric mathematics has a strong aesthetic component. Adjectives like beautiful and elegant are often used to express the highest appreciation for mathematical work. The lecture will illustrate these two appearances of beauty in mathematics and also their interactions.

Biographical Note: László Lovász is president of the International Mathematical Union and a recipient of the Wolf Prize, the Gödel Prize, the John von Neumann Theory Prize, the Bolyai Prize, and the Széchényi Grand Prize. Lovász will open the 2010 Bridges Pécs Conference as the first plenary speaker.