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Artist in Cultural Phenomenon in Science Fiction

Last reviewed: November 4, 2013 ~5 min read
Abstract

This essay discusses with regard to science fiction as a concept that is often regarded by artists concerned in mathematics. The paper focuses of Darren Aronofsky's 1998 motion picture Pi. By relating to how the director attempted to display the connection between a seemingly impossible number and the universe, the essay attempts to emphasize the importance that mathematics in general plays as the key to finding the universe's secrets

artist in cultural phenomenon in science fiction that have been influenced by a topic in mathematics including pure, applied mathematics, artificial languages and the philosophy of mathematics

Darren Aronofsky's Pi

Mathematics has long inspired individuals concerned in science fiction, as its logics influenced them to believe that it would be extremely important for mankind as a whole to be able to process a series of difficult mathematical calculation with the purpose of helping society experience progress from several points-of-view. Darren Aronofsky's 1998 motion picture Pi stands as an intriguing example concerning art coming together with mathematics and ultimately leading to an impressive piece of art. The film revolves around the idea of number theory and promotes the idea that individuals can use mathematics as a tool to unravel some of the Universe's deepest secrets.

Aronofsky's work provides viewers with a unique view into the world of mathematics and succeeds in making it possible for individuals to acknowledge the power that this curriculum can have on individuals. Mathematics is promoted as being more than a concept that can provide persons with material profit and with the ability to experience faster technological progress. Instead, it is presented as something that can help the social order see rapid spiritual progress and that is directly linked with a series of existential ideas.

The film is certainly impressive when considering the fact that it steps away from Hollywood's typical attempts to provide stereotypical images of the world. The fact that it brings together two domains as apparently opposite as mathematics and spirituality is downright astonishing and it can serve as inspiration for many persons who prefer to believe that there is a strong connection between ideas that humanity has had access to for years without actually being able to understand them.

By emphasizing how mathematics itself has a series of limitations (one of the best examples being the number Pi with all of the numbers following its decimal point) that people are unable to compensate for, Aronofsky practically enabled viewers to acknowledge the fact that humans are limited in their understanding of the world. Mathematics is not as simple as one might be inclined to believe, as it does not just involve calculations that anyone can do as long as he or she knows the formula. Instead, it poses a series of intriguing questions that can only be understood as long as the person trying to solve them has a complex comprehension of existential matters.

As strange as it might seem, Aronofsky's film is meant to discuss the idea of abstract math. These are two concepts coming together and forming a paradox, as they practically enable viewers to understand that there is much more beyond calculations and simple mathematical formulae.

This film is not necessarily meant to discuss with regard to typical mathematical ideas. Instead, its producers wanted to address an intriguing idea regarding mathematics and science in general: the chaos theory. The motion picture's protagonist discovers a link between the chaos theory and the number Pi and this causes a great deal of individuals to express interest in his work. These respective people practically acknowledge the important role that this discovery could play for humanity as a whole and concentrate on understanding it themselves in order to be able to accomplish goals that would be unachievable otherwise.

Aronofsky probably wanted his viewers to realize that there is a strong connection between the world and mathematics. Mathematics can practically function as a language in explaining events happening throughout the universe and a person who is well-acquainted with this respective language is likely to gain a more complex understanding of things that seem unexplainable.

Pi is one of the most powerful concepts in the film and by looking at how the circle is a perfect shape, one can easily acknowledge that Pi has a special place in the world. By dividing a circle's circumference by its diameter, one can get the number Pi. This particular number is impressive because it would be impossible to write it by using a traditional mathematical form. Instead, people relate to it by using a symbol, thus making it possible for humanity as a whole to understand the limitations how much the world actually knows with regard to mathematics.

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PaperDue. (2013). Artist in Cultural Phenomenon in Science Fiction. PaperDue. https://www.paperdue.com/essay/artist-in-cultural-phenomenon-in-science-126299

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