Love Story
If you could take only one book to a deserted island, what would it be?
I love mathematics, and one of the reasons is that it’s a universal language, understood by anyone familiar with its symbols. Another reason is that mathematical narratives are easy to follow; they unfold through proofs, theorems, and axioms, like elements of a plot. What I appreciate most in these stories is their precision—there’s no room for interpretation. Am I missing something?
On the other side, there is literature—fiction and nonfiction, especially philosophical works written1 by some of the greatest minds who walk the Earth. I’d say there’s a lot of room for interpretation, isn’t there? I know I could start a discussion about the “probability of interpretation” in both mathematics and philosophy.
I believe philosophy connects more closely to a reader’s mind, emotions, and life experiences, which is why it invites interpretation. You might be wondering, how can numbers and narratives possibly intertwine? Well, let me share with you how these worlds collided for me.
A compelling love story unfolds through classic storytelling arcs—introducing conflict, building tension, and culminating in a climactic resolution. Similarly, mathematicians begin with foundational premises (axioms), heighten intrigue through logical steps (lemmas and theorems), and ultimately deliver closure in the form of a proof.
The parallels between these two worlds are striking. We might even coin the term “classic proof arcs” to describe this structure. In this light, mathematics, much like philosophy, reveals itself as a form of storytelling—only its language is composed of symbols instead of words.
I initially suggested that philosophy resonates with the reader’s mind, emotions, and life experience, but, to be honest, that description lacked precision. Behind books, stories, and mathematical theories stand real people—philosophers and mathematicians—shaped by their own minds, emotions, and life experiences. Their personal perspectives and intellectual journeys find expression in the ideas they create and the narratives they build. Who would we be if we were incapable of feeling, unable to process emotions or give them voice?
In the end, whether we seek answers through the rigor of mathematics2 or the introspection of philosophy, both queens of science show us the importance of precision and emotion in their storytelling.
I remember my first attempts at proving theorems from Mathematical Analysis or Probability Theory, which were always accompanied by excitement and curiosity, as well as the time I read the entire “The Roads to Freedom” by Jean-Paul Sartre in a single weekend.
Perhaps the book I’d take to that deserted island wouldn’t be about choosing between numbers and narratives. The most profound stories—whether told through equations or words—challenge us to think, feel, and wonder.
And isn’t that what makes any story worth reading?
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For a curious mind looking for the first steps, I would recommend "History of Philosophy" by Władysław Tatarkiewicz.
I would recommend a book: “Perfect Rigor: A Genius and the Mathematical Breakthrough of the Century” by Masha Gessen about a mathematical genius.