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Elegance isbeauty that shows unusualeffectiveness andsimplicity.
Elegance is frequently used as a standard oftastefulness, particularly invisual design,decorative arts,literature,science, andthe aesthetics of mathematics.
Elegant things often exhibit refinedgrace and suggest maturity, and in the case of mathematics, a deep mastery of the subject matter.[1]
Essential components of the concept includesimplicity andconsistency ofdesign, focusing on theessential features of an object. In art of any kind one might also require dignified grace, or restrained beauty of style.
Visual stimuli are frequently considered elegant, if a small number ofcolors and stimuli are used, emphasizing the remainder.[2]
In thephilosophy of science, there are two concepts referring to two aspects of simplicity: elegance (syntactic simplicity), which means the number and complexity of hypotheses, andparsimony (ontological simplicity), which is the number and complexity of things postulated.[3]
In mathematical problem solving, the solution to a problem (such as aproof of amathematicaltheorem) exhibitsmathematical elegance if it issurprisingly simple and insightful yet effective and constructive. Such solutions might involve a minimal amount of assumptions and computations, while outlining an approach that is highly generalizable. Similarly, acomputer program oralgorithm is elegant if it uses a small amount of code to great effect.[4][5]
Inengineering, a solution may be considered elegant if it uses a non-obvious method to produce a solution which is highly effective and simple. An elegant solution may solve multiple problems at once, especially problems that are not thought to be inter-related.[6]Elegance can arguably be measured for engineering problems as the ratio of problem complexity to that of solution complexity.[7] Thus a simple (low complexity) solution to a problem of high complexity is seen as elegant. This measure does not advise of process to produce elegant solutions, and is merely a way of comparing between multiple solutions for elegance assessment.
Inchemistry, chemists might look forelegance in theory, method, technique and procedure. For example, elegance might comprise creative parsimony and versatility in the utilization of resources, in the manipulation of materials, and in the effectiveness in syntheses and analysis.
Inpharmacy, elegance informulation is important for quality as well as for effectiveness indosage form design, a major component of pharmaceuticals.
The concept of elegance in fashion is often associated with the modern taste for subtraction and understatement that capitalistic societies have developed to convey a sense of status. Unlike similar concepts such asglamour, elegance is a unisex practice, and it was initially developed amongst the male ruling classes after the French Revolution. Elegance was later adopted by ladieswear, from the 20th century onwards. This approach to clothes based on subtraction and understatement is pursued by the upper classes to avoid vulgarity, hence belonging to a lower social status. Several elements that determine the adoption of elegance and its rule have been recognized: a key role is played by class, gender, morality and taste.[8]
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