“I hate math”: Is there a divide between humanities and science?
Details
Many people proudly say "I'm bad at math", while few would proudly say "I can't read". A casual “I hated physics at school” is rarely balanced with “I never learned to read poetry” or “History just isn't for me”. More generally, something about science and the humanities seems to invite very different kinds of self-description.
Why are these two so often seen like opposing camps? The answer shapes how we educate, how we are governed, whom we admire, and even which kinds of ignorance we excuse.
Aficionados of each side can regard the other with suspicion, condescension, and, to be honest, ennui. Yet both claim to illuminate reality, enrich human life, and cultivate the mind.
In this Socrates Café we will explore the perceived divide between scientific and humanistic modalities: where does it come from? does it reflects genuine differences? what may be lost when the two drift apart? And, is the divide inevitable, exaggerated, or perhaps largely of our own making?
Some of the questions that we’ll explore:
- What makes math click for some people and bounce off others?
- Is there really value in everyone learning middle-school-level math and science? What about humanities subjects?
- Do we lose access to certain mental modalities if we don’t use math?
- Should scientists and science-oriented individuals cultivate themselves through arts, social science and history? Should artists and humanities-oriented individuals cultivate themselves through math, physics and engineering?
And even:
5. Are some forms of ignorance more forgivable than others? Do some kinds of knowledge offer social status and belonging?
6. Is modern science relevant to age-old philosophical questions?
7. Are human affairs inherently deeper than nature? Is nature the only thing that really matters? Are there traditions of thought that encourage one view or the other?
Supplemental reading & listening:
“We’ll take a look at the history of the ‘great war.”
Science versus Humanities: The Final Fight – light introductory article.
https://audemic.io/blog/careers/science-versus-humanities/
“Science knowledge only adds to the excitement.”
Physicist Richard Feynman on Beauty of a Flower – short excerpt.
https://fs.blog/richard-feynman-on-beauty/
“Keith Devlin sees mathematical equations like sonnets.”
The Joy of Math: Learning and What It Means To Be Human – podcast & transcript.
https://onbeing.org/programs/keith-devlin-the-joy-of-math-learning-and-what-it-means-to-be-human/
“However, when sharing resources between science and humanities comes up, bridges retract.”
Keeping the Humanities Out of Science May Be Bad for Science – commentary article.
https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20250402085043651
Extra reading:
“They have with considerable gusto been expressing their incredulity at the illiteracy of scientists. Once or twice I have been provoked and have asked…”
The Two Cultures – Wikipedia article on influential book.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Two_Cultures
“This is a long-standing debate. An early delightful chapter of the debate was played out in Athens during its classical period.”
Physics Needs Philosophy / Philosophy Needs Physics – article & lecture.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/observations/physics-needs-philosophy-philosophy-needs-physics/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJ0uPkG-pr4
“Even a cursory exposure to writing produces an entirely different kind of thought.”
Reading is Magic – essay.
[Note: This one deals with different topics; but great intro to how learning in one domain alters mental capacity in general.]
https://samkriss.substack.com/p/reading-is-magic
American Philosophical Association’s Newsletter on Philosophy and Computers – web archive.
[Note: Just a taste of technology-induced novelty in philosophy. Some interesting articles as well.]
https://www.apaonline.org/page/computers_newsletter