Ian
Stewart showed in the “Mathematics of Life” how math acts not only as a servant
of Biology but a possible tool to unravel certain mathematical answers to
biological problems.
The
opening of the book presented five great revolutions that give prosperity to
the knowledge and understanding of the science of life. According to Stewart, these
five revolutions are the Microscope, Classification, Evolution, Genetics and
the Structure of DNA.
The
microscope, which started 300 hundred years ago, gave the idea that each living
organism is made of internal complexities, which are the cells. Carl Linnaeus
marks the second biological revolution when he successfully organized the
system of nature, also called as taxonomy or classification. Charles Darwin
proposed the controversial theory of evolution, which marks the third and one
of the most important revolutions. When Gregor Mendel bred pea plants, he
discovered how different genetic traits are transferred from one to another,
and that became the fourth revolution. The fifth revolution appeared around
sixty years ago, when Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid (DNA) was discovered through the
technique, X-ray diffraction. “This revealed the positions of the atomic make up
in a molecule” as what Stewart stated.
But
Stewart added that there is a sixth biological revolution. And that is
mathematics. He clearly explains that math is not only a tool that serves to
show patterns in biology but also it helps explain how and why biological
phenomenon happens.
These
five revolutions became the spine of the continuing seventeen chapters of the
book in which Stewart explicated the discoveries of the five revolutions. From
these given notion about the biological sciences, he then connected his sixth
revolution, which is mathematics, through using equations. It does not just
only analyze but also it was used as a method that understands the biological
patterns. He also expounded it through introducing theories both in biology and
mathematics, such as the Game Theory and Knot Theory.
One
of the most interesting parts of the book is the Lizard Game Chapter. He gives
a clear, entertaining and familiar example of the patterns of heredity in one population
of common side-blotched lizards in the islands of western coast of North America.
He debunks the common notion of the survival of the fittest as definite rule
that mandates the nature. He explained that if it were the rule then there
should be one species that have been the “fittest” of all. And so, he added
that survival of the fittest is a competition dependent of its players and
criterions. Thus there are different kinds of criterion that must be played and
so are the different players. He then connects this stand to the game,
rock-paper-scissors. In mathematical perspective, this is called the game
theory.
From
the Lizard Game example, we can see how the wide and complex evolutionary
system can be chunked into parts and each could be simply understood through
matching in mathematical theory. This part also represents the whole idea of
the book: present a familiar story in the field of science, expound the thought
and relate a mathematical pattern. Because of this patterned idea, the readers
can easily follow what the book tries to present.
The
book in general is a good read. It is not surprising as Ian Stewart is not only
a well-known mathematician but also a science fiction writer. Thus the book is
presented in logical sequence, like presenting a common story, simple yet
entertaining. There is coherence on sentences and paragraphs as he connects
clearly one thought to another. The technical terms are easily comprehended and
less intimidating since he chose to use words that are familiar and easy to be
understood by those who are new to the field of biological sciences and of
mathematics.
Despite
his pleasant way of presenting his ideas, it cannot be denied that this book is
only intended for those who are truly interested in biology and mathematics,
unless urged or required to read and make a book review. Although it would not
be hard for the book to gain fans from other fields as its way of presenting
its ideas is, again, clear, entertaining and easy to understand.
It
is good to have a book that diminishes the boundaries of two different
disciplines. Thus, this book would help debunk the common notion that one field
is superior to the other, and that one who studies the hardest to understand is
the smartest. Combining science and mathematics is a good way to start creating
a community sharing a common attitude towards discovering the unknowns of the
universe. Thus, it would not be surprising if Ian Stewart would write books
that will totally clear the boundaries of extremely distinct disciplines such
as mathematics and arts or arts and biology, creating homogeneity in the greater
body of knowledge. That would be exciting.
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