
Mathematics is the Poetry of Science
Cedric Villani(Author)
Oxford University Press
Published on 24. March 2020
Book
Paperback/Softback
96 pages
978-0-19-884643-7 (ISBN)
Description
In the words of the great poet Senghor, Cedric Villani makes the bold claim that Mathematics is the Poetry of Science. Perhaps paradoxical to some, both disciplines are concerned with describing the world around us, understanding its parts, and using this knowledge to create something profound.
World-renowned mathematician and Fields Medallist Cedric Villani explores this analogy in this engaging and intelligent text, and shows how mathematics, one of the world's few universal languages, holds deep similarities to the literary genre. A great lover of poetry, he insists that the two are intrinsically linked in their aim of both tackling the complexities of our reality as well as distancing us from it so that we may better appreciate its beauty.
In a more light-hearted and concise approach than his more theoretical academic works, this book represents one of Villani's attempts to communicate his love of mathematics to a wider audience, drawing daring parallels between two universes that meet in their aspiration of the sublime.
World-renowned mathematician and Fields Medallist Cedric Villani explores this analogy in this engaging and intelligent text, and shows how mathematics, one of the world's few universal languages, holds deep similarities to the literary genre. A great lover of poetry, he insists that the two are intrinsically linked in their aim of both tackling the complexities of our reality as well as distancing us from it so that we may better appreciate its beauty.
In a more light-hearted and concise approach than his more theoretical academic works, this book represents one of Villani's attempts to communicate his love of mathematics to a wider audience, drawing daring parallels between two universes that meet in their aspiration of the sublime.
Reviews / Votes
A remarkable exploration of creativity and aesthetic sensitivity in mathematics, and I would wholly recommend it to anyone who wants to appreciate why it will continue to inspire and fascinate all of its devotees. * GERRY LEVERSHA, The Mathematical Gazette *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 195 mm
Width: 130 mm
Thickness: 7 mm
Weight
118 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-884643-7 (9780198846437)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Cedric Villani
Mathematics is the Poetry of Science
E-Book
03/2020
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€11.49
Available for download

Cedric Villani
Mathematics is the Poetry of Science
E-Book
03/2020
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€11.49
Available for download
Person
Cedric Villani is a French mathematician and politician working primarily on partial differential equations, Riemannian geometry and mathematical physics. He was awarded the Fields Medal in 2010 and he was the director of Sorbonne University's Institut Henri Poincare from 2009 to 2017. Villani was elected to the National Assembly, the lower house of the French Parliament, during the 2017 legislative election.
Content
0: Elisa Brune: Foreword
1: Mathematics, Science, and Poetry
2: Constraints and Creativity
3: Inspiration
4: Making Connections
5: A Portable Universe
6: The Form of Words
7: Visionaries
8: Poincare and the Omnibus
9: Ping-Pong
10: Ode to Imperfection
11: Appendix: Henri Poincare on Mathematical Discovery
1: Mathematics, Science, and Poetry
2: Constraints and Creativity
3: Inspiration
4: Making Connections
5: A Portable Universe
6: The Form of Words
7: Visionaries
8: Poincare and the Omnibus
9: Ping-Pong
10: Ode to Imperfection
11: Appendix: Henri Poincare on Mathematical Discovery