The Beauty of Numbers
1 + 1 = 2, and that is beautiful. Assuming we are using the standard number system learned in America, it’s beautiful because it’s correct; it has a defined answer that can be solved. There is no confusion. Numbers are beautiful for this reason – even delving into far more complex equations: 1345 x 3485 / 48395.987 + 98/89 = ?, there is still a definitive answer. To take it another step, we know that 2 is greater than 1 ( 2 > 1). While these symbols are defining abstract concepts, we can agree on the numerical amounts. That is an ideal.
In life, there is not a definitive answer. Attempts are made to place a value on things, one may attempt to apply a utilitarian moral code to a situation to decide on the best course of action, ie. Giving Joe a car is of a greater value then myself getting a candy bar, therefore, if I need to choose between giving Joe a car or getting a candy bar, I should give Joe a car: but what if Joe will get into an accident with that car? Then it would seem that I should getting a candy bar has more value then getting Joe a car – we don’t want to see Joe get hurt. But what if, if Joe’s not hurt, he would (insert some ghastly deed here)…
We could continue to add on situational changes in value of an action to infinity. The continued additions are what we cannot know; what nullifies any application of value to a situation. In math (at least in basic maths) there is an indubitable value. In life we constantly choose: “Do I do action A or action B?” “Do I say ‘yes’ or ‘no?’” “Do I kiss her or do I not kiss her?” “Do I give Joe the car or get myself a candy bar?” There is no agreed upon value in these choices.
In math there is a number: 1; and another number: maybe a repetition of the first 1 or maybe a new thing, like 5; and there is an answer: 2, or 6, or something else, depending on the numbers. But there is a solution. There is not a consistent chaos as the utility of an action, or inaction, tumble around. There is no answer that is agreed upon; no indubitably ‘right’ way to choose: you can’t know if you should take the ‘road less traveled’ or the superhighway that speeds past fast-food places ever twenty feet.
And it is for that reason I sometimes envy numbers. 1 may never be greater than 2, but that is something it knows will never change. That is the beauty of numbers.