On the Importance of Mathematics
Mathematics is the queen of science and the language of nature. Its importance should be clear to any reasonable person. It is easy however to diminish the value of certain areas of research because they’re currently thought as having little practical use. Evolutionary needs brought our mind to prefer knowledge that can be employed for the solution of specific problems in the real world, rather than deeply abstract ones. It is an understandable and even excusable fallacy that there are useful fields of math and useless ones, based on the perception of their applied or theoretical nature. But it’s still a misconception. Each theorem and discovery is a little piece of a larger puzzle that we conveniently categorize into aptly labeled macro-areas. Discoveries and mathematical ideas that are perceived as “useful” today because they’re applicable to engineering, for example, were at a certain point in time considered absolutely abstract and useless, or at least derived or intrinsically connected to some that were. Mathematics matters; all of it.
On the net I found an incredible lecture by the brilliant mathematician Timothy Gowers, entitled “The Importance of Mathematics”. In this keynote, Prof. Gowers makes a very strong case in favor of the value of math, of financing its relatively cheap research and its deep implications on human progress. You can watch the 8 parts that compose the whole video, in the following playlist:
For those who’d prefer it, a PDF transcript is also available.
[...] few days ago I began a series of articles on the importance of mathematics. Today I noticed a nice post by Antonia Cangiano at Math-Blog promoting a wonderful speech given by mathematician Timothy Gowers at the 2000 [...]
Great lecture, very nice post. I love math!
A really remarkable lecture. Finding new unexpected applications of mathematics always gives me such a thrill. This lecture points out so much that I had never seen before, it really opened me eyes. Nice post!
Its great reading this remarkable lucture.After reading it i have gain more interest in maths.EXCELLENT POST!!
its really worth all the troubles…. its a very precise explanation on why to study math…
very good lecture in defending your belief
but i still hate maths..cant stand it..its not everybodies brains or I.Q that is built to be calculating figures
it is fantastic. please keep it up. Kudos!
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a nice post!i like the explanation…..keep it up..
i like the explanation! very nice!!
Yup!!! Math I love
i love math forever it is very use ful for us for our succesful mambition in life….
A very tough but most interesting subject of all. It requires us to think analytically and critically. Everyone must give their full attention in studying this subject if they really want to become successful in the profession that they decided to pursue…
I like mathematics more than other subjects and i real want to have more profession that will make me to be competent in the mathematics
Well, I love mathematics with Passion and i am almost through with my Masters Degree in Mathematics and i will love to do my PHD(Doctorate) in Mathematics.May God help me.Once again, keep it up.
I LOve mathematics so Much That I thought it wise to be a mathematician.THE EXPLANATION IS EXPLICIT.