Life, architecture, mathematics, and the fourth dimension

Lawrence, S (2015) 'Life, architecture, mathematics, and the fourth dimension.' Nexus Network Journal. doi: 10.1007/s00004-014-0221-9

Abstract

The fourth dimension, whilst contemplated from as far back as antiquity, was only studied in mathematics from the nineteenth century. Here we trace the history of these investigations, and place them in the context of their manifestations in architecture, whether real or imagined. As we take a look at the social milieu within which the study of the fourth dimension flourished, in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, we investigate the biographies and works of the protagonists, and note that the study of the fourth dimension, and dimensionality itself, was strongly coloured by considerations of ethics and even religiosity. Finally we look at a few examples of architecture which offer different interpretations of the fourth dimension.

Item Type:	Article
Note:	First published online on 8 January 2015 ahead of its inclusion in a specific issue.
Keywords:	Polyhedra, Fourth dimension, Dimensionality, Schläfli symbol, Tesseract, Euler’s characteristics, Spiritualism, Theosophy Antroposophy Flatland
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > B Philosophy (General) C Auxiliary Sciences of History > C Auxiliary sciences of history (General) H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform L Education > LA History of education L Education > LT Textbooks
Divisions:	School of Education
Date Deposited:	08 Apr 2015 10:32
Last Modified:	15 Aug 2021 09:39
ISSN:	1590-5896
URI / Page ID:	https://researchspace.bathspa.ac.uk/id/eprint/5292

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