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Truth and beauty in physics and biology

Nature Physics volume 17, pages 149–151 (2021)Cite this article

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Physicists and biologists have different conceptions of beauty. A better appreciation of these differences may bring the disciplines closer and help develop a more integrated view of life.

Now that I have studied mathematics and physics myself, I know more about what many of these equations mean, and the deeper beauty of the ideas that they convey. Yet, I still find myself attracted to their visual form; I still like the way they look. Some equations have a pleasing balance and mirror the elegance of the notions they represent in their visual aesthetic.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Alan Turing Institute, London, UK

    Ben D. MacArthur

  2. Mathematical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK

    Ben D. MacArthur

  3. Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK

    Ben D. MacArthur

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  1. Ben D. MacArthur
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Correspondence to Ben D. MacArthur.

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MacArthur, B.D. Truth and beauty in physics and biology. Nat. Phys. 17, 149–151 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41567-020-01132-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41567-020-01132-9

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