by C.P. Snow, an English novelist and physical chemist, published his book The Two Cultures in 1959, in which he decisively defined the existence of two dueling cultures of Science and the Arts (Slide 5). Snow believes that the empirical and humanistic cultures within education are competing against one another and a resulting divide has emerged making for collaboration almost unfathomable. According to Snow, the empirical view of science includes the natural law and natural sciences, which contrast the humanistic view of human experiences in history, rhetoric, art, literature, etc. Also believed by him was that the divide between the two was growing and a bridge between focuses was deteriorating(Slide 8). Unsure of the opposing views could be reconfigured, Snow’s diverging ideas are debated even so today.
Through examinations of our liberal arts education here at Colby, the bridge between Snow’s two defined cultures becomes quite obvious to be genuine human curiosity. Instead of defining the two cultures as opposing entities of life, we should perpetuate them as the “Culture of Curiosity.” The combined empirical and humanistic cultures are both cultures motivated by exploration and the relationships that we, humans, have with the Earth.
Colby College, as like any other liberal arts college, is an example of how this bridge between the cultures is curiosity and should be perceived as intertwined rather than dealing. Colby’s school motto, Lux Mentis Scientia which translates to knowledge is the light of the mind, speaks to knowledge acting as a guiding force in our lives. The motto in essence captures the power of knowledge on our lives and how our minds all crave it, making the pursuit of higher education a demonstration of curiosity. And because Colby hosts students across all cultures in Snow’s opinion, the bridge and honor paid to the opposing culture is through a shared commitment to the passion of curiosity.
Taking a step further, the school promotes a cross examination between Snow’s cultures by offering interdisciplinary majors, like STS. The founding principle of the Science, Technology and Society department at Colby was “neither the scientific system of mental development, nor the traditional, is adequate for our potentialities, for the work we have in front of us, for the world in which we ought to begin to live.”(Slide 11) The quality of knowledge that one gets from studying in only one culture, either empirical or humanistic, is lacking in applications of other equal quality and purpose which traditionally oppose your own field of study. Colby understands the culture of curiosity and fosters it, instead of fueling animosity between cultures, we are taught to recognize subjects are motivated by intrigue and gains of knowledge.
It is important to create a cohesive environment between Snow’s traditional two cultures as a gap creates lacking knowledge of the world around us. No matter how much knowledge of the sciences matters if one is not able to communicate their ideas. Expressing curiosity should be embraced and coined an overarching culture to the empirical and humanistic. The new culture of Curiosity holds with other cultures, but they no longer duel, rather they are joined through appreciation of knowledge.
Sources:
- http://www.colby.edu/about/colby-at-a-glance/
- C.P. Snow. The Two Cultures. Cambridge University Press. 1998.
- Jiang, Liang. Two Cultures Lecture Slides and Part 1 & 2.