Mathematics as a Way of Life

          Throughout the history of science, biology and mathematics have barely been on speaking terms. (Bellos, A., 2011) Biologist have long dismissed mathematics as a separate discipline which is unable to meaningfully contribute to the understanding of living beings. (goodreads.com, 2013) To us, mathematics is a mere scientific discipline that can never go hand in hand with other branches of science. And through time, it was not only us who were lead to believe this, but specialist and scientist were also lead to believe this. We were accustomed to seeing these two disciplines as separate, different and distinct from each other thus can never fuse with each other. And to specialist, especially those who are biologist, views mathematics as a baggage that will only burden and might even hinder their discoveries that will help them understand living things.

          However Ian Nicholas Stewart, a mathematics professor and famous popular-science writer, says this belief or trend is now shifting anew. (Wikipedia, 2013) In his book, The Mathematics of Life, he tells us that it evident, in the past ten years, that mathematicians has proven to hold the key to unlock some of the mysteries of our world – and even ourselves. (goodreads.com, 2013)

         Stewart also provides an enthralling overview of the vital but little-recognized role mathematics has played in the unraveling of the hidden complexities of the natural world. Aside from this, he explains how mathematical contributions will be even more vital in the years to come. Also in this book, Stuart records how mathematicians and biologist have already come to work together, hand in hand, on some of the most difficult scientific problems that the human race ever embarked on – one of which deals with the nature and origin of life itself. (goodreads.com, 2013)

          The 19 chapters of this book is divided into three parts. The first third of the book provides a well done capsule on the history of biology. (James, 2011) Here, he introduces to us the five scientific revolutions that have brought biology into the modern age biology we have today: 1.) invention of the microscope, 2.) A systematic means of classifying species, 3.) evidence of evolution, 4.) Expansion of the field of genetics and 5.) Discovery of the structure of the DNA. (Parker, N., n.d.)

          However, Stewart argues that biology is currently in the early stage of a sixth revolution. This sixth major transformation is where scientists change the way they view and think about life. This sixth revolution is no other than mathematics. (Devlin, K., 2011)

          Stewart notes that the life sciences have traditionally regarded mathematics as a mere tool to analyze data, now, these life sciences’ relative indifference is changing. According to Stewart, biologist are now understanding the importance of mathematics through their use of “mathematics and mathematical ideas in central ways to make new and achieve new understandings.” (Devlin, K., 2011) This is why the remainder of the book discusses the different areas of mathematics and their application to the numerous topics in biology. Some of which are Fibonacci sequence, Lucas sequence, geometry, topology, probability theory, group theory, network theory, and mathematical modelling. (James, 2011)

          Stewart argues this thesis through deeper explanations on how mathematical ideas can be applied to the numerous topics in biology. One great example of how he argues his proposition is seen on how he explains by going beyond the Fibonacci explanation of petal patterns to discuss why the associated mechanics and biochemistry generate these patterns. Aside from this, crucial to his argument to prove that mathematics plays a major role in biological discoveries and advancement is through the use of breadth of examples - making use of other branches of mathematics to explain even deeper the relationship between how mathematical ideas can be applied to biological topics.  (timeshighereducation.co.uk, 2013)

         Aside from Stewart’s argument that mathematics plays a crucial role in the study of biology, he also acknowledges the importance of many disciplines, some of these topics that were covered in the book includes the basics of genetics, DNA structure and replication, molecular biology, taxonomy, game theory, evolution, neurobiology, virology, population dynamics, knot theory and many more. (Parker, N., n.d.)

          Growing up, we have been accustomed to seeing mathematics and biology as completely different disciplines that can never go side by side with each other. However, through this book, we come into realization that mathematics can revolutionize biology. Here we see the evident fusion that can happen between these two completely different disciplines, that they do not exist in opposing end of the pole, rather can accompany each other. We also see evidences that mathematics can lend itself to other discipline. And this in turn will caused a series of events that will lead not only to mathematics lending itself to other disciplines but also mathematics that lends itself to discoveries and advancement that are outside the field of just plain mathematics.

          Mathematics lends itself to other disciplines. In this book, we can see that though mathematics and biology exists in the opposing ends of the pole, yet we can also see that mathematics can actually lend itself to biology and help make sense of biological patterns in that discipline. And conclusions from those patterns can be made and this in turn will help biologist understand the living beings that it studies. Here we can denote that mathematical principles can be used to understand not only patterns in numbers and formulas in mathematics but also the patterns in other fields of discipline. Mathematics to some biologist may seem unable to meaningfully contribute to their understanding of living beings, but it does not mean that mathematics is completely unable to contribute, it only means that mathematics contributes in a different way – by making sense of patterns through its mathematical ideas and principles. And once we make sense of patterns, only then will we be able to understand how things really work. And this is not limited to biology but the mathematical ideas and principles can be used to other fields of discipline.

          Mathematics lends itself to discoveries. When mathematics lends itself to other disciplines, it already is lending itself to meaningfully contribute to the discoveries of those disciplines. It is through the mathematical ideas principles, and making sense of patterns where we can see that math is already lending a hand to help solve problems, unravel mysteries and help discover what is concealed from our knowledge. This basically means that mathematical principles and ideas can be used by other fields in solving complex solutions and problems to help them understand and find the answer to the questions bothering them in their own specific fields. Thus, mathematical ideas and principles helps generate solutions and answers to the complex formulas, patterns, and question that is delved by other disciplines.  

          Mathematics lends itself to advancement. Once discoveries are made, only then can advancement can be pursued. The mathematical equations that helps solve complex problems of different fields will be a springboard for development and advancement. Through those discoveries, new ideas can be suggested to further improve the way things are or to give clarity to what is unknown or blurry from our minds. This then would lead to the implementation of the ideas to pursue advancement. We have to remember that suggestions and implementations made should aim for the wellness of not only mankind but of all the components in this world. Only then would it be possible to create a better world through mathematics.

          Growing up, mathematics is seen as a distinct discipline, one that is different from other discipline. We were accustomed to believe that mathematics exists only by itself, which it will be unable to meaningfully contribute once paired up with another. However, this is changing.  Mathematics being a single discipline that only consist of mathematical ideas, principles and theorems does not really define the life of mathematics and what it is all about. For mathematics is much more than that. Mathematics is a way of life. Mathematics is a way of life for it lends itself to other disciplines to create understanding of the world and of us. Mathematics is a way of life for it lends itself to discover the things that are concealed from our knowledge. Mathematics is a way of life for it pursues advancement in everything it does. And most of all, mathematics is a way of life for it was, is and will always be part of us and who we are.


References:

Bellos, A. (2011, April 16) Mathematics of Life by Ian Stewart – review [Review of the book The Mathematics of Life].  Theguardian. Retrieved December 21, 2013 from http://www.theguardian.com/books/2011/apr/16/mathematics-of-life-ian-stewart-review

The Mathematics of Life. (2013). In Goodreads. Retrieved December 21, 2013 from http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11298890-the-mathematics-of-life

Mathematics of Life: Unlocking the Secrets of Existence. (2011, August 11). In At the Heart of Higher Education Debate. Retrieved December 21, 2013 from http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/417070.article

Ian Stewart (mathematician). (2013, December 16). In Wikipedia. Retrieved December 21, 2013 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Stewart_(mathematician)

James. (2011, July). The Mathematics of Life by Ian Stewart [Review of the book  The Mathematics of Life].  goodreads. Retrieved December 21, 2013 from http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/176745546

Parker, N. (n.d.). The Mathematics of Life [Review of the book The Mathematics of Life].  New York Journal of Books. Retrieved December 21, 2013 from http://www.nyjournalofbooks.com/book-review/mathematics-life

Devlin, K. (2011, June 9). New Angles on Biology. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved December 21, 2013 from http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304066504576345382084988252