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    Why Humanities is still an important study choice in today’s technology driven world

    Synopsis

    Much of the dialogue around post-secondary education revolves around the vital importance of technology but that comes at the expense of other streams, primarily Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS). This emphasis results in the short-sighted weakening, and in extreme cases, the elimination of the “soft” disciplines from universities globally.

    David C. Malloy

    ,

    President of King's University College, London, Canada

    The Japanese use the term ikigai; the ancient Greeks used the term eudaimonia, and the Hindus refer to their four purusharthas or life goals (dharma – natural inclination, kama – desire, moksha purity of mind, and artha – earning a living) as the primary motivators in all we do. In today’s fast paced world, how can these concepts be put into action for university students?

    Much of the dialogue around post-secondary education revolves around the vital importance of technology but that comes at the expense of other streams, primarily Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS). This emphasis results in the short-sighted weakening, and in extreme cases, the elimination of the “soft” disciplines from universities globally.

    The blame falls squarely on the shoulders of universities that have failed to clearly communicate the value, and the utility of these areas of study to the public. False claims need to be questioned and facts need to be presented. The reality for the next generation of students is that they must face lots of disruptions and volatility due to the rapidly changing technological advancements. If graduates are to survive in this volatile environment, they must be flexible, adaptable, creative, resilient, and constantly able, willing, and excited by career/life-long learning.

    But the question is, how is this kind of education possible? The answer lies in not alienating the stream of Humanities and Social Sciences but using HSS to empower Technology. Universities need to focus not only on the content of the discipline but on the training of the mind to be curious, and to think creatively, critically, and ethically. Our dilemma is that there are all a lot of myths surrounding HSS. Let us look at debunking them with relevant stats.

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    First, let’s address the myth that the world’s problems will be solved by technology alone. While it is true that we need to advance technology for global betterment, it is also true that without sound ethical, strategic, and critical thinking we run the risk of letting technology doom us to failure. Case in point: Robert Oppenheimer, the scientist who created the nuclear bomb, soon after his “experiment” was tested in New Mexico in July of 1945, committed himself to be an antinuclear advocate for the remainder of his life. He quickly realized that just because we can doesn’t mean we should. Technology without critical ethical oversight, and free of values, can create as much destruction and turmoil as it attempts to solve.

    Second,
    there is a myth that Humanities and Social Science (HSS) grads will “eke out a living” while their Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) peers are financially secure. The fact is, while graduates in some technology disciplines start at higher wages, HSS grads catch up and have a higher degree of upward mobility because their skills (problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, active listening, etc.) are so portable. For example, in a recent study by the British Academy Report (2020), employment rates differ little by subject (89% Technology; 88% HSS). A Universities Canada study found that the average earnings for Social Science grads and natural science grads were similar at the same point in their career.

    The third myth is that HSS grads are limited in their career options. The reality is the opposite. As a function of the broadness of competencies of an HSS degree, graduates are in a much better position to succeed in a range of professions (e.g., in the fields of business, industry, government, and education) that demand soft skills such as leadership, verbal and written communication, creative thinking, adaptability, and listening skills. Their ability to adapt to a range of employment contexts allows them, if the economy demands, the fluid movement between positions to seek better opportunities that fit with their values and ambitions.

    The resultant evidence strongly suggests that graduates of Humanities and Social Science are needed to help solve the major issues of today and our future (alongside technology grads); while their starting salaries lag initially, they catch up and eventually surpass their counterparts in technology; and their future career resilience is much more developed as a function of their higher-level competencies.

    While these are reasons enough for students to choose HSS degrees, perhaps the most compelling is what psychologists such as Viktor Frankl have long argued to be the most important factor related to work-related commitment: meaning. Finding meaning or purpose in our work is possible, though it is so often overshadowed by the pursuit of money. Choosing HSS may well provide graduates with the skills to be successful in work and to be fulfilled as they pursue their purpose, their purasharthas, their ikigai.

    The point here is that if a student’s heart or passion lies in an HSS discipline, they will find more meaning and career success than if they choose solely for the sake of money or societal approval. The global conversation needs to change from a technology-only narrative to one that not only supports students’ pursuit of Humanities and Social Sciences degrees and wisdom but also recognises the needed synthesis of both to holistically provide solutions to the global challenges we face today.
    (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of www.economictimes.com.)
    The Economic Times

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