Is BEAUTY relevant to science? | Biologist Denis Noble, Suchitra Sebastian, George Ellis

Denis Noble, Suchitra Sebastian and George Ellis discuss the definition of beauty and the role it has in the sciences.

Is beauty a casual or necessary part of the universe?

For centuries the beauty of the universe was seen as evidence for a divine creator. Now we are more likely to see beauty as an adornment to life, a colourful addition but at root a side-show. But might our rejection of the importance of beauty be a profound mistake? Mathematicians call on beauty to explain the quality of a proof. Cosmology and particle physics employ theories chosen for their elegance and beauty. Einstein concluded, 'the only physical theories we are willing to accept are the beautiful ones'. While we all seek beauty in key aspects of our lives, from geography to fashion, from what we eat to who we live with.

Should we conclude that beauty is not a subjective or passing cultural fashion but instead an objective and vital quality of the universe? Does the centrality of beauty tell us something about the very character of the universe and reality? Should we place the pursuit of beauty at the centre of our lives or are we right to have relegated beauty to a passing entertainment, valuable and even important but essentially superficial?

#beauty #science #symmetry

Join Dominic Walliman as he hosts a panel discussion on the nature of beauty. Debating the topic are Denis Noble, Emeritus Rrofessor of Cardiovascular Physiology at the University of Oxford, Suchitra Sebastian, condensed matter physicist and recent winner of the New Horizons in Physics Prize, and George Ellis, mathematician at the University of Cape Town and Stephen Hawking collaborator.

00:00 Introduction
00:20 Denis Noble on beauty in biology
03:25 A problem in symmetry
05:45 Is beauty objective?
06:00 Measuring beauty
07:50 Evolutionary case for beauty
10:10 Beauty is beyond our control
12:41 Does the centrality of beauty to our scientific theories tell us something about the nature of reality?
16:20 Beauty of physics

[radiantmarshmallow]

I believe the issue here is the focus on visual beauty, when instead we should be focused on the beauty of a concept. Not how it looks, but rather how it works, how it progresses, how it is connected.

[goldennuggets]

I don't know whether it's relevant to science but it's certainly necessary in life, something many people have forgotten, ignored, overlooked, or considered insignificant for too long now to everyone's detriment.

[VTA-SNPCA-x]

I love Dr. Noble's way of thinking.

I myself never pondered about what is the objective universal beauty in the natural world. But I always liked what can be described as the balance and difference between chaos and harmony, and how harmony may arise from chaos. Both in biology and chemistry and all art.
Dissonance and juxtaposition is also desired. Good art requires all the in my opinion.

I'll have to check out this conversation. You won, iai.

[anadventfollower]

We're at a point where beauty should only be left for nature to take away on her own, while we human-beings should be worrying about solutions to our many flaws that plague us internally.
Attraction to one another is natural but we have far surpassed that as a hyper-intelligent life form... So seek and respect the beauty of what resides in a human-being, and admire the beauty of what nature presents us.

[TheMookie]

this guy gets it. Ive been saying this for years. the ancients clearly knew this to. it is also what I consider the human condition. to juxtapose ones self within chaos and order.

[ranabhattacharyya]

The body is symmetrical outside and assymetrical inside
That is beauty
Whst works is beauty
Beauty is eternal unlimited by symmetry
Beauty is freedom
Beauty is love

[TheUnknown]

Symmetry without anti-symmetry is not supersymmetry Symmetry without dark symmetry is not supersymmetry

[JaneB]

Beauty calms the nervous system, bringing a pleasing sense of order, reducing chaos? Beauty starts a cascade of chemicals which produce pleasure? Both physiologically similar to beauty is in the eye of the beholder?

[Andre-Linoge]

Entities that don't have symmetry are called deformed two shaped. I think beauty has to do with individuality. Old twisted trees are beautiful. Their beauty consist in their resolve to survive despite adversity. Despite insurmountable adversity they defy and are individuals. Their imperfect symmetry is the result of confrontation with adversity. Their beauty is in their resolve to stand.

[FruitPrut]

We should understand the definitions of life itself - consisting of what we can do, like what you said that we have Yin and Yang, Where and when to use those forms of life. So that even and any life form itself can be use in a way we can help and use in a good and better way.

[Travelseekknowledge]

Wow, that's a nice topic, Thank you Dr denis, I guess according to your beautiful words, all life is problem solving, so starting from this we may find beauty, from our mind as a frame of reference.

[TheUnknown]

Parameshwar Sutapa mukherjee Tanka Mukharu Brahman Haatharu Kshatriya Jangharu baishya padaru shudra manankara shrushti .

[HigherSofia]

There are no bad trips, only bad trippers.

[mohdnorzaihar]

Consciousness determined beauty, but biology can't explain consciousness. Peace be upon you'll out there and assalamualaiqum wmt

[TheUnknown]

Beauty is God God is Supersymmetric beauty

[TheUnknown]

Beauty is God God is always absolutely beautiful

[isleofyew]

Natural selection via the eye for health & beauty and intelligence is most important. More so than moral hypocrite fearful breeding not making use of medical/scientific progress. Stop breeding the gambling way.

[Jack-hpl]

No useful insights that I could identify