A new study has revealed that arithmetic has biological roots and is a fundamental result of how we perceive the world around us. This groundbreaking discovery has the potential to reshape our understanding of mathematics and its significance in the field of science.
Throughout history, numerous civilizations have developed their own number systems, such as the Babylonian, Egyptian, Etruscan, and Maya systems, consisting of a wide range of symbols. Despite their cultural differences, all these systems are based on the principles of addition and multiplication. However, the universal nature of arithmetic has remained an enigma.
In order to unravel this mystery, scientists decided to explore the biological aspect of arithmetic. Surprisingly, it was found that many non-human species, including insects, possess the ability to perform algebraic calculations required for navigation tasks. For instance, bees are capable of calculating the shortest route back to their hive after traversing a complex and winding path in search of nectar.
During the study, researchers determined that four key principles, namely monotony, bulge, continuity, and isomorphism, are sufficient to define arithmetic. These principles are the fundamental organizing principles of perception, shaping how both animals and humans perceive the world and are deeply rooted in our evolutionary history.
As a result, arithmetic is considered a unique phenomenon because it emerges as a consequence of these intrinsic qualities. The findings from the study provide compelling evidence that arithmetic is deeply intertwined with biology, resulting from the structuring of our perception.
Hence, mathematics can be viewed as both an invention specific to humans and an outcome determined by biology. The remarkable success of mathematics in the physical sciences suggests that our minds and the world we inhabit are not separate entities, but rather integral components of a unified whole.