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226239

The aesthetic sensibilities of mathematicians

Nathalie Sinclair

pp. 87-104

Abstract

I begin with a story told by the French mathematician François Le Lionnais (1983) about his first experience, at age seven, of a mathematical discovery. It illustrates, perhaps more immediately than a trip to the Great Museum of "elegant" mathematical proofs, how aesthetic responses, values and experiences can snugly insinuate themselves alongside logical steps and decisions throughout mathematical activity.

Publication details

Published in:

Sinclair Nathalie, Pimm David, Higginson William (2007) Mathematics and the aesthetic: new approaches to an ancient affinity. Dordrecht, Springer.

Pages: 87-104

DOI: 10.1007/978-0-387-38145-9_5

Full citation:

Sinclair Nathalie (2007) „The aesthetic sensibilities of mathematicians“, In: N. Sinclair, D. Pimm & W. Higginson (eds.), Mathematics and the aesthetic, Dordrecht, Springer, 87–104.