For centuries, scientists have noticed something strange.

Many of the equations that best describe the universe are also remarkably elegant.

The laws governing gravity, light, motion, and electricity can often be expressed with simple mathematical relationships that seem far simpler than the complex world they describe.

This pattern became so striking that some scientists began using beauty as a clue. Physicist Paul Dirac famously argued that a beautiful equation was more likely to be correct than an ugly one. Albert Einstein also valued simplicity and elegance when developing new theories.

But there is another possibility.

Human brains are exceptionally good at recognizing patterns. We tend to find symmetry, balance, and order pleasing, whether we are looking at a snowflake, a flower, a galaxy, or a mathematical equation. 

Some researchers argue that what we call beauty may partly reflect the way our brains evolved to identify structure in the world around us.

That leaves an intriguing question.

Do the laws of nature seem beautiful because the universe is deeply ordered, or because our brains are wired to appreciate order when we see it?