To what extent is truth different in mathematics, the arts and ethics?

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Rahul Manay

 

To what extent is truth different in mathematics, the arts and ethics?

As human beings, we are constantly searching for this higher level of knowledge, truth, whether it is in the sciences, in our own lives, or in religion. For example, if I want to know how I can find the area of a triangle given two sides and an angle, I just refer to the trigonometry section of my math SL textbook, which gives the equation meeting those criteria as well as the proof. But by helping derive and justify the equation A =0.5absinC, the proof confirms this mathematical truth. For this question, I will step further into truth and our perception of truth, exploring the question: To what extent is truth different in mathematics, the arts, and ethics?

First, I feel it necessary to distinguish between the different truths that may exist simultaneously. Truth, in my opinion, can be classified into two categories: “hard” and “soft” truths. “Hard” truths are universally-accepted facts that can always be proven to be accurate and they are found most often in the areas of mathematics, natural sciences and history. Even in the arts and ethics, there are universal truths, such as the fact that Beethoven composed the Moonlight Sonata, A.R Rahman composed “JAI HO” or even the fact that Leonardo Da Vinci painted the “MONA LISA”. However, the specific truths one seeks in a piece of music, a work of art, or a study may vary from individual to individual. Unlike the “hard” truths in the world, these truths are heavily based on belief and rely on personal interpretation, such as the conclusions, regardless of their unreasonable thoughts, a person may draw after studying a piece of art. Because of their dependency on opinion, these truths can be classified as “soft” truths. Thus, in the area of mathematics, there is truth that can be factually verified through the manipulation of equations and the usage of proofs. Conversely, in the areas of ethics and the arts, while there are basic objective truths, the deeper truths are the ones that individuals determine and are, consequently, much more subjective. And it is of at most importance to note the quality of “soft” truths in ethics and the arts varies, even though they are subjective.

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Mathematics is an area of knowledge which consistently produces justifiable and reliable truths. For instance, when I was taught multiplication, at first I did not understand why it was happening, I was to used adding with my fingers and if I had to even with my toes. But, when my teacher explained the concept of multiplication it went from Greek and Latin to plain common sense. When I saw 8 plus 8 would give me 16 ,and 8 multiplied into 2 gives me 16.It was all clear .The number adding itself to an extent which is the “2”. By understanding ...

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