Art and Science

Art and Science

By

Doug Cooper

Over the years, many questions have been debated about the relationship between art and science. What would a world without art be like? What would a world without science be like? Is science more important than art, or is art more important than science? Some people believe that these two ways of knowing are in competition with each other. A scientist may believe his work is far more important than that of an artist, while the artist may believe that without art the world would be dull and mundane. Before attempting to answer these questions, let us first understand the purpose behind the two ideologies.

Science is a process used to better understand the world. “Science can seem mysterious, especially when presented in great detail. In essence, however, it is remarkably straightforward. Scientists simply try to gain a fundamental understanding of natural phenomena” (Wynn and Wiggins 2). Science attempts to provide explanations of things, and more effective solutions to problems. Experts in the field are always searching for clearer understanding of the world we live in, through experimentation and logical processes.

Art as defined by the American Heritage Dictionary is “human effort to imitate, supplement, alter, or counteract the work of nature. 2.a. The conscious production or arrangement of sounds, colors, forms, movements, or other elements in a manner that affects the sense of beauty, specifically the production of the beautiful in a graphic or plastic medium”. The performing arts must also be considered when discussing the topic of art. Performing arts consists of ballet and music, where people become part of the art thru dance or song. Is there truly a relationship between science and art?

Science and art, it seems, have only one thing in common, nature. Both deal with the world and the nature of things in the world. Scientists try to figure out why things are the way they are and...