Can science survive without the humanities?

Scientific advances have been critical to the extraordinary achievements of the past century. But we also must invest more time, money and resources in the humanities and social sciences

You see, at some point the arts and sciences became the arts OR sciences. This was in part, due to a resource problem. But that’s not what we want to talk about today. Instead, we want to bring light as to why this is so important.

In this episode, one of SHAPE Shifters founders, and SHAPE Shorts Podcast creators, Tony Pitucco, discusses whether the sciences can survive without the humanities. 

Traditionally, the humanities have provided intuitive insight and the creativity behind innovative connections across all disciplines. Sciences may be suffering because, in many respects, some of our greatest scientific achievements have come from innovators with a tremendous balance between the ads and sciences. 

The humanities are very integral in adding context and creativity to a scientific education. Sciences provide an important empirical and philosophical framework for the humanities, of course, but it’s the reciprocity between the two that becomes most critical. One lacking the other in any direction creates significant deficit. This is why we believe it’s so important to put the AND back between the humanities AND sciences (vs. humanities OR sciences). 

By reemphasizing humanities, scientists can have the foundational parts of creativity that will accelerate the scientific advances that we’ve seen and want to see more of in the future. It’s the creative component that is so important.

We know that all of the humanities can be connected to a scientific foundation, but the reverse is also true.

What are your thoughts on this topic? Let us know in the comments below!

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