Do Mathematicians Agree about Mathematical Beauty?
Rentuya Sa, Lara Alcock, Matthew Inglis, Fenner Stanley Tanswell
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Source: Crossref
Published: Feb 21, 2023
DOI: 10.1007/s13164-022-00669-3
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Abstract Mathematicians often conduct aesthetic judgements to evaluate mathematical objects such as equations or proofs. But is there a consensus about which mathematical objects are beautiful? We used a comparative judgement technique to measure aesthetic intuitions among British mathematicians, Chinese mathematicians, and British mathematics undergraduates, with the aim of assessing whether judgements of mathematical beauty are influenced by cultural differences or levels of expertise. We found aesthetic agreement both within and across these demographic groups. We conclude that judgements of mathematical beauty are not strongly influenced by cultural difference, levels of expertise, and types of mathematical objects. Our findings contrast with recent studies that found mathematicians often disagree with each other about mathematical beauty.
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