To What Extent Is Truth Different in Mathematics, the Arts and Ethics - Essay Example

To what extent is truth different in mathematics, the arts and ethics TO WHAT EXTENT IS TRUTH DIFFERENT IN MATHEMATICS, THE ARTS, AND ETHICS? GRACE SARKAR Order No. 372602 05 February 2010 TO WHAT EXTENT IS TRUTH DIFFERENT IN MATHEMATICS, THE ARTS AND ETHICS? Introduction There is truth in mathematics, arts and ethics. It is not possible for mathematics, arts or ethics to exist without truth. This issue inevitably leads to the question: what is truth? Pontus Pilate put this question before Jesus but turned away without expecting an answer (John 18:38). It is difficult to conclusively analyze truth. But it is possible to get close to the truth. Socrates lived a life closely related to the truth although he did not pretend to know the whole truth (Kreis, Steven; 2000). Now coming to the issue of mathematics, arts and ethics and to what extent they are related to the truth it is necessary to analyze each issue so that it becomes easier to justify the difference on merits. It may appear that truth is closer to one issue as compared to the others. However, it is better to assume that they are all inter-related and the differences only crop on the degrees of scale of the different aspects of truth in relation to each issue. Truth can be treated as noun, verb, adjective and adverb. Truth can be personified, activated, used as reinforcement and described clearly. This is part of the comparison that will be used to analyze truth on the issues of mathematics, arts and ethics. Mathematics Mathematics goes hand-in-hand with science. Mathematics is composed of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Mathematics is also composed of ratios, theorems, quadrics, quadrants, By themselves, these forms of mathematics are irrefutable because they have to do with numbers and present nothing but facts. Thus, they are closest to the truth or they are closest to perfection. “Judgments based on values must only be used in the emotion based areas of knowledge such as the Arts and Ethics but must not be used in areas of knowledge based on reason that includes the sciences, history and mathematics” (Discuss the ways in which way value judgments should and should not be used in different ways of knowledge, 2010). Emotion based areas of knowledge such as Arts and Ethics will be dealt with later in this paper. Mathematics is based on areas of knowledge based on reason. Mathematics has less to do with emotion and is reason-based due to which it is center-staged on calculations and evaluations describing cardinal truths involving the various subjects of science such as physics and astronomy. Mathematics not only aims at perfection but also seeks to explain complex ideas lucidly. The brilliance with which numbers can be crunched and tied up with facts was revealed by Archimedes, Sir Isaac Newton, and Albert Einstein among others (Sir Isaac Newton Facts, 2010). They were physicists, mathematicians, astronomers and philosophers and their search for the truth behind natural phenomena invariably involved mathematics. Mathematics leads to the truth and are pointers to solutions that are otherwise difficult to fathom without the use of figures. The current information age makes colossal use of mathematics to design programs, store data, promote commerce, and simplify procedures. With all these stellar qualities, mathematics must occupy a place among the best conveyors of the truth. Nonetheless, it is not possible to place mathematics as the best indicators of the truth. Mathematics cannot expect to take all the glories for elucidating the truth. There are too many mysteries that must be solved by mathematics to claim this spot. The challenges are huge. There are many mysteries out there in the space that are still unsolved and will take many more years to unravel one by one. There are many problems facing man and mathematics is not in a position to unravel them. Hence, mathematics has constraints and it can only function within the parameters of these constraints. As mentioned earlier, mathematics is not in a position to get involved in emotion-based areas of knowledge. Arts Arts appeal to the finer senses of emotion. Literature, architecture, paintings, performing arts, and culture are some of the main exponents of arts. These express truth based on emotions. The extent of their expressions is based on emotions and thus, it is difficult to perceptibly calculate them. In literature, truth is expressed in different ways. For instance, let us consider the word ‘light’. Light can be expressed in different ways to denote meanings. Thus, the expressions "make light of," "lighten up," "leave a light on," "light up my life," "Light of the world," "smile lit up her face," "Points of Light," "light at the end of the tunnel," "Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness," "in light of," "light of my life," "lighthouse," "in light of," "torch-bearer," "light in his eyes," "in the spotlight” use the same term ‘light’ but in different meanings and context (Hamry, Dianne; 1998). There is some truth in all these expressions involving ‘light’ because they make some sense. In the same manner one can consider architecture, performing arts, and culture and evaluate the truth on these works. They may present balance, highlight a certain scene, appear abstract, or bring to life certain facts through the ingenuity of the workman. Now the same work may produce different reaction from the viewers. The reactions may range from deep admiration to a casual look of outright indifference. For instance, the picture of Mona Lisa may evoke two different reactions from two different viewers. One may view the picture as the image of a grand lady while the other may give it a passing glance. However, both viewers will agree it is a unique work of art although the reason for its uniqueness by the two viewers will be different. One may feel the expression of Mona Lisa is grand and soberly while the reason given by the other may be simply that the uniqueness is in the picture’s familiarity that other pictures do not enjoy, Thus, the degree of truth in the picture may vary in the eyes of the different viewers. The extent of truth in arts is relative and dependent on the judgment of the viewers. As compared to mathematics, it is difficult to clearly define the extent of truth in arts. It is easier to evaluate the truth in mathematics because mathematics is based on reason and the mind has only to point out the score on the best of ten. It is not so clear with arts because the evaluation is emotion-based and dependent on the state of the viewer’s feelings (Discuss the ways in which way value judgments should and should not be used in different ways of knowledge, 2010). Ethics Ethics represent facts as well as morals. It is ethics that upholds loyalty and faithfulness. Ethics point out the reasons why it is good business to treat customers and employees with respect. Ethics must be learnt by experience and observation. Ethics is a set of good rules and regulations. It is normally invisible because it is not an object but it is a standard. It is an intangible value that people adhere to on the premise that it is a wise and proper thing to do. Hence, ethics has something to do with experience and education. In spite of the belief that ethics is a new subject, there is some evidence that of mathematics, arts and ethics, ethics has existed from earlier times than mathematics and arts. “As to the discoveries in the field of philosophical, humanistic, and social science disciplines, the role of intuition has indeed been preponderant. This is objectively testified to by the fact that almost all of the great discoveries -- the main philosophies, the main humanistic and social science theories -- were made a long time ago, when neither laboratories, nor statistics, nor systematic data of observation, nor any other material for an empirical or even rational generalization existed” (Sorokin, Pitirim A; 1998). Mathematics is visible. Art is visible. In the case of ethics, one thinks of principles and morals. Hence, it is close to the truth. It points to the best qualities a person is expected to follow in the course of his life and duty. Thus, it is safe to suggest that ethics has the evaluations of mathematics as well as arts. It is based on reason as well as emotion. Sometimes ethics can appear bizarre. For instance, Adolf Hitler’s policies were unethical to the world. However, his policies were quite ethical to millions of Germans in his time (Sorokin, Pitirim A; 1998). Ethics is the standard, value or behavior. It appears close to the truth because it believes what it is doing is right. However, as mentioned earlier, ethics can sometimes lead to bizarre experiences. Conclusion The extent of truth in mathematics, arts and ethics vary according to their functions. It is difficult to prove that one is closer than the others to the truth. The functions of these three issues vary. Mathematics is reason-based, art is based on emotions and ethics is a combination of reason and feelings. Hence, it is difficult to measure their closeness or distance from the truth. Each is related as closely or as far from the truth as the others. What can be stated with conviction is that each is close to the truth in its own way. It reveals the truth in its own function and style. 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