New Study Challenges Assumptions About Geometry's Origins

NYU psychologist finds geometry's foundations shared by humans and animals, not a uniquely human 'math module'

Apr. 7, 2026 at 2:35am

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A bold, abstract painting featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise spirals in a soft color palette, conveying the structural order and interconnectedness of natural and scientific phenomena.A conceptual illustration of the shared geometric foundations between human and animal cognition, as revealed by new research challenging long-held beliefs about the uniquely human origins of mathematical reasoning.NYC Today

A new analysis by New York University psychology professor Moira Dillon concludes that geometry's foundations are shared by humans and a variety of other animals—from rats to chickens to fish. Dillon's 'Wanderers Hypothesis for Geometry' suggests our understanding of geometry may come from navigation-like mental processes, not a built-in 'math module' in the human brain.

Why it matters

This research challenges the long-held view that geometry is a uniquely human cognitive ability, with implications for how we understand the origins of mathematical thinking and the differences between human and animal cognition.

The details

Dillon's work, published in the journal Trends in Cognitive Sciences, draws on decades of research showing that animals can navigate efficiently and simulate navigation in their minds without formal geometry training. She argues these navigation-based mental processes merely approximate Euclidean geometry, rather than capturing it exactly. Dillon suggests language is what sets humans apart, allowing us to transform these navigation-based geometric abilities for new applications like solving geometry problems mentally.

  • Dillon's study was published in April 2026.

The players

Moira Dillon

A psychology professor at New York University who authored the new analysis challenging assumptions about the origins of geometry.

Google DeepMind

An AI research company whose AlphaGeometry system was cited in Dillon's review of studies on how both humans and animals perceive and navigate spaces.

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What they’re saying

“Our ability to think geometrically may not come from a built-in, uniquely human 'math module' in the brain, but rather from the same cognitive systems that help humans, as well as animals, find their way home.”

— Moira Dillon, Psychology Professor, New York University

“Animals that have never studied angles or triangles can navigate efficiently and simulate that navigation in their minds to plan their routes—and even babies seem to understand something about distance, direction, and shape.”

— Moira Dillon, Psychology Professor, New York University

“Language allows humans to call upon the geometry used for navigation and use it in new ways, for example, to solve geometry problems in our minds without actually going anywhere. Language allows us to mentally wander unlike any other animal can.”

— Moira Dillon, Psychology Professor, New York University

What’s next

Dillon's findings could spur further research into the evolutionary origins of mathematical thinking and the cognitive differences between humans and other animals.

The takeaway

This study upends the long-held assumption that geometry is a uniquely human cognitive ability, showing it may instead be rooted in navigation-based mental processes shared across species. It suggests our capacity for abstract mathematical reasoning stems from our use of language to transform these innate spatial skills.