Theory of Knowledge
Theory of Knowledge
13
Chapters
165
Notes
Chapter 1 - Knowledge & The Knower(Core)
Chapter 1 - Knowledge & The Knower(Core)
Chapter 2 - Knowledge & Technology(Optional)
Chapter 2 - Knowledge & Technology(Optional)
Chapter 3 - Knowledge & Language(Optional)
Chapter 3 - Knowledge & Language(Optional)
Chapter 4 - Knowledge & Politics(Optional)
Chapter 4 - Knowledge & Politics(Optional)
Chapter 5 - Knowledge & Religion(Optional)
Chapter 5 - Knowledge & Religion(Optional)
Chapter 6 - Knowledge & Indigenous Societies(Optional)
Chapter 6 - Knowledge & Indigenous Societies(Optional)
Chapter 7 - History(AoK)
Chapter 7 - History(AoK)
Chapter 8 - The Human Sciences(AoK)
Chapter 8 - The Human Sciences(AoK)
Chapter 9 - The Natural Sciences(AoK)
Chapter 9 - The Natural Sciences(AoK)
Chapter 10 - The Arts(AoK)
Chapter 10 - The Arts(AoK)
Chapter 11 - Mathematics(AoK)
Chapter 11 - Mathematics(AoK)
Chapter 12 - ToK Exhibition
Chapter 12 - ToK Exhibition
Chapter 13 - ToK Essay
Chapter 13 - ToK Essay
IB Resources
Chapter 11 - Mathematics(AoK)
Theory of Knowledge
Theory of Knowledge

Chapter 11 - Mathematics(AoK)

Unlocking The Universe: Why Mathematics Holds The Key

Word Count Emoji
652 words
Reading Time Emoji
4 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 14th Jun 2024

Table of content

🔹Galileo's take 🧙

Galileo, the Italian astronomer, believed the universe's language is mathematics. He used geometrical figures like triangles, circles to interpret it. This is like trying to read a book in a foreign language. If you don't know that language, it's impossible to understand anything!

 

Imagine you're in China, unable to read Mandarin. You wouldn't understand the signs, menus, or newspapers. Similarly, Galileo claims that without understanding the 'mathematical language,' we can't comprehend the universe.

🔹Echoing galileo - wigner's view 🎤

Eugene Wigner, a theoretical physicist and mathematician, agrees with Galileo. In his essay, he called it a 'miracle' that mathematical concepts can describe physical phenomena with such accuracy.

 

This is like playing a video game and discovering that you can predict exactly how the enemies will behave because they follow specific rules or patterns. Here, the game's patterns are the mathematical concepts, and the enemies are the physical phenomena.

 

Wigner identified three 'miraculous coincidences':

  • Mathematics explains the universe's structure 🏗️: It's like using Lego blocks (mathematics) to construct a model (universe).
  • There's a deep structure to the universe ⚛️: Imagine peeling an onion. You keep discovering layer after layer, showing a structure to it. Similarly, the universe has layers of structures, awaiting discovery.
  • Humans are capable of this mathematics 🧠: Humans can understand and use these 'Lego blocks' to comprehend the universe. It's like being given the right tools to solve a complex puzzle!

Unlock the Full Content! File Is Locked Emoji

Dive deeper and gain exclusive access to premium files of Theory of Knowledge. Subscribe now and get closer to that 45 🌟

Nail IB's App Icon
IB Resources
Chapter 11 - Mathematics(AoK)
Theory of Knowledge
Theory of Knowledge

Chapter 11 - Mathematics(AoK)

Unlocking The Universe: Why Mathematics Holds The Key

Word Count Emoji
652 words
Reading Time Emoji
4 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 14th Jun 2024

Table of content

🔹Galileo's take 🧙

Galileo, the Italian astronomer, believed the universe's language is mathematics. He used geometrical figures like triangles, circles to interpret it. This is like trying to read a book in a foreign language. If you don't know that language, it's impossible to understand anything!

 

Imagine you're in China, unable to read Mandarin. You wouldn't understand the signs, menus, or newspapers. Similarly, Galileo claims that without understanding the 'mathematical language,' we can't comprehend the universe.

🔹Echoing galileo - wigner's view 🎤

Eugene Wigner, a theoretical physicist and mathematician, agrees with Galileo. In his essay, he called it a 'miracle' that mathematical concepts can describe physical phenomena with such accuracy.

 

This is like playing a video game and discovering that you can predict exactly how the enemies will behave because they follow specific rules or patterns. Here, the game's patterns are the mathematical concepts, and the enemies are the physical phenomena.

 

Wigner identified three 'miraculous coincidences':

  • Mathematics explains the universe's structure 🏗️: It's like using Lego blocks (mathematics) to construct a model (universe).
  • There's a deep structure to the universe ⚛️: Imagine peeling an onion. You keep discovering layer after layer, showing a structure to it. Similarly, the universe has layers of structures, awaiting discovery.
  • Humans are capable of this mathematics 🧠: Humans can understand and use these 'Lego blocks' to comprehend the universe. It's like being given the right tools to solve a complex puzzle!

Unlock the Full Content! File Is Locked Emoji

Dive deeper and gain exclusive access to premium files of Theory of Knowledge. Subscribe now and get closer to that 45 🌟