Euclid and Beauty

The long-lasting nature of Euclid's works, including The Elements, widely considered the definitive textbook for geometry, is most likely a result of the comprehensiveness of the ideas presented and the visual appeal it had to readers. It is also said that the book has influenced several prominent scientists throughout human history (such as Galileo, Kepler and Newton), paving the way to many of the scientific innovations we know today. Many have claimed that the logical representations in Euclid's book, as well as the consistent way in which he presented his ideas, are unmatched by any other. As a result, it is still the main textbook in the realm of geometry, and other books in the field all adopted Euclid's material.

As mentioned, one of the main reasons that The Elements has been successful for centuries is the aesthetic nature in which Euclid explains the development of geometry. The propositions and theorems in the book can all serve as a front-row seat to view what goes on in the Greek mathematician's mind, as it if is an artwork in motion. The term "beauty" can be used to describe Euclid's logical reasoning and the encompassing visualizations, but I would like to extend this even further to include its reception, just like any other art piece. Because the book has been so popular and influential throughout history, I would regard it as a "beautiful" work made of texts and drawings, but it cannot be viewed as a conventional art like a painting. What the audience sees is one layer of the work, but the images and thoughts provoked by it are even more important and endearing. The book by Oliver Byrne is one example of how it can inspire others to make adaptations of the work. There are currently online and community projects that are looking to create modern versions of The Elements, adding to its artistic value.