Two cultures

 

Two cultures

I was reminded of this by a thought provoking article published in the Economist. This sought to modify the “two cultures” notion for 2021. The original idea proposed by C P Snow in a lecture in 1959 struck a chord and received widespread attention in following years. Essentially the notion was that intellectual life had been subdivided into two camps who did not understand each other. On one hand was the arts camp who claimed civilising influences from history, literature and fine arts while decrying scientists as narrow minded philistines. On the other camp were scientists who felt they led the areas which advanced humanity but yet were decried by the arts group. This latter feeling was shown by the much resented civil service slogan about scientists “on tap but not on top”.

C P Snow was both a scientist and a novelist and his view obtained widespread currency despite some outspoken criticism. The Economist viewed recent events at Oxford University in the light of this analysis. The role of science in generating testing and vaccines against Covid 19 was contrasted with the “woke” claims about historic colonial statues and artefacts led by some Arts intellectuals. The Economist sees the scientists as looking forward and arts looking back. This is precis of their view which was qualified in some details.

When I was younger I felt quite strongly that science was the only area worthy of study. I saw subjects such as Latin as a pure waste of time feeling it only existed to give an occupation in teaching it to those who were only fit for it. I still feel that Latin graduates are turned out only to teach Latin to some of whom go on themselves to teach; and so the cycle of intellectual waste is perpetuated.

It is notable that scientists often devote some portion of their time to study of arts subjects for their interest and amusements. I consider that my interests in literature and modern history are recreational. I could never have devoted my career to them but rather I see them as worthy pastimes. I abhor the type of pseudo intellectual who asserts that Roman History ( or many other subjects… fill in the gaps yourself) is much more important than knowing what the second law of thermodynamics is, and boasts of complete inability to change a lightbulb.

I have come to realise that society needs a cohort trained in arts subjects to provide a professional core which assists me and others in their spare time interests. I think that many new areas such as film studies while fit for recreation have no real basis for serious study. I harbour a suspicion that they provide an easy option and are seen to be so to the detriment of the wider interests of society. Those wider interests seem to me to demand a much wider cohort of scientifically  literate population. While scientists can be gullible at least this might cut down the number who believe in such daft ideas as a flat earth.

I am a supporter of the vast increase in higher education in recent years. I think that now nearly half of school leavers go on to university. I certainly agree that university education should ( hopefully) teach both how to study and some critical facility. I do worry however that far too many courses do not offer much intellectual rigour.

The careful reader will notice I have said nothing about professions such as law or accountancy. I very much agree that a civilised society needs these old professions and I do think it is the right thing that degree level study is now required rather than the type of apprenticeship which was common 60 years ago. I regret that the social cachet ( I could say snobbery ) surrounding law still exists.

Despite the protestations of a retired nurse of my acquaintance I agree that nursing justifies degree level training. She feels strongly that a vocation and “on the job” training is all that is required..

 I accept there is an argument for non vocational training. I have never been one of those who sneer at “Hamburger University” as McDonalds characterises its training facility. I very much hope that  burger slingers are trained and act in a well trained and professional manner. It is quite obvious to me that one of the defects of education in this country is that too little emphasis and pride is given to vocational training. An able and professional plumber ( or any tradesman ) is valuable to society and in return should be granted a higher standing

On the subject of English as a suitable subject for study I became notorious at my daughter’s school. At a parents evening in year 11 her English teacher complimented her work and expressed the hope she would continue at A level. My response was to say that she would be spending her time studying more valuable science subjects and that English was a recreational subject. Apparently this became a notorious view. Fortunately my daughter lived it down. My daughter went on to do Maths, Physics, English and French at A level and then to do an English degree attaining a First. I am proud but just a little wistful. Her early interest in cosmology led me to hope she would go on to work in some related area.

I am proud my elder daughter enjoyed a degree and doctorate in biochemistry. She is now employing that knowledge ( and a subsequent ecology degree ) in trying to ensure effective use of  minimum quantities of biocides in agriculture.  This type of work will hopefully lead to overall advance of civilisation. To ensure that no one goes hungry in a stable world seems to me a more worthy objective than a hundred classics scholars in their narrow niche..

Pedantic note

I, myself, largely made my career in technology. I often describe myself as a scientist for simplicity. I am proud of the association with science and my training in that discipline.