Re-Define It (Redefining Math as Art rather than Science)

A reminder that you have the power to define words and concepts for yourself!

We think definitions are universal, but in reality we all have different images and stories that come up when we hear specific words.

I define math as art. Not as science. And I challenge you to consider this point of view:

"A mathematician, like a painter or poet, is a maker of patterns. If his patterns are more permanent than theirs, it is because they are made with ideas" -G.H. Hardy

Now, yes, the following is an answer I got from ChatGPT. But, it fits to my standards and it might just make you wonder if you've been stuck with the limited definition of math presented to you in school.

How do we begin redefining math as art rather than science?

1. Highlighting the Creative Process

• In Science: Math is often seen as a tool to solve problems, with a focus on precision, logic, and correctness.
• In Art: Emphasizing how mathematicians create new ideas, patterns, and structures could make math feel more like an art form. Just like artists, mathematicians explore unknown realms of thought and imagination, and their work often involves a spark of creativity, akin to artistic innovation.

2. Aesthetic Beauty in Mathematical Patterns

• Art is often defined by its ability to evoke emotion and appreciation of beauty. By focusing on the aesthetic beauty of mathematical patterns (e.g., fractals, symmetry, the golden ratio), we can draw parallels between mathematical structures and visual or musical art forms.
• Mathematical art already exists, where people create visual works inspired by equations, geometry, or algorithms. This reinforces the idea that math can produce aesthetically pleasing results, much like art.

3. Mathematics as a Form of Expression

• In many ways, math allows individuals to express abstract ideas about the universe. Equations, functions, and formulas can be viewed as a language of expression akin to how painters use colors and shapes, or musicians use notes and rhythm. Viewing math as a medium for expression rather than just a rigid tool can shift its perception toward art.

4. The Role of Intuition

• Great mathematical breakthroughs often come from an intuitive leap or insight that goes beyond strict logic—much like the intuitive process of an artist. Reframing mathematical discovery as a process of inspiration and intuition aligns it with the artistic experience.

5. Human Emotion and Subjectivity in Math

• In science, objectivity is key. But in art, subjective experience is essential. In mathematics, people often speak of the "elegance" or "simplicity" of certain proofs, or how a result feels "beautiful" or "surprising." These emotional reactions to math can be emphasized, framing mathematics as something that evokes feelings, much like art.

6. Historical Parallels with Artistic Movements

• Certain mathematical developments, such as non-Euclidean geometry or topology, have parallels to movements in art, like modernism and surrealism, where the boundaries of traditional representation were challenged. Showing the parallels between the evolution of mathematics and various artistic movements could reinforce its place in the world of art.

7. Mathematical Storytelling

• Just as artists convey stories or themes through their work, mathematicians can be seen as telling stories through the structures they build. These can be narratives of abstraction, such as the discovery of infinity or the structure of the universe, and could be considered as conceptually artistic.

8. Integrating Math into Artistic Education

• Shifting the definition of math to art could involve how it's taught. Rather than focusing purely on its utilitarian aspects, math education could focus on its creative side, allowing students to explore its artistic dimensions—creating mathematical visualizations, exploring the beauty of symmetry, or engaging with conceptual math that opens the imagination.

By presenting math in this way, it could be seen not only as a discipline of logic and reason but as a creative endeavor with deep connections to the ways humans experience and interpret the world—through patterns, beauty, and expression, much like traditional forms of art.

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A friend and I are looking into how we can study math so that it feels more creative, feels more driven by curiosity, feels more like art, and fun. If we figure something out along the way, I'll let you know :)