Through a mathematical lens: divergent perceptions of reality

Abstract

This article explores maths as an art form and examines how emotional attitudes toward mathematics shape not only learning but also perception of the world. Drawing from fields such as cognitive psychology, neuroscience, philosophy of maths and real-life effects, it aims to illustrate the differences in brain activity and a person’s behavior as a result of fearing or enjoying maths. By analyzing a range of perspectives and research on people’s attitudes, this work reveals how perceptions of maths have a strong impact on human behavior, and as an outcome shows how enjoyment and interest in it enhance deeper understanding and learning skills, while maths anxiety, resulting from a negative academic experience or prejudice and biases, limits the skills, affects decision making and influences a person’s career. This perspective emphasizes that the ability to see beauty in mathematical abstraction is not a universal experience, although rejecting or fearing maths can mean fearing the world itself.