 |
A cartoon depicting C. P. Snow bridging the gap between
the Two Cultures (Audiobook Cover Image) |
The article “The Two Lectures and the Scientific Revolution” was a lecture given by C. P. Snow at Cambridge University. Charles Percy Snow was an English Author and Physicist. Given his background in both literary and natural sciences, C. P. Snow is the perfect candidate for discussing these “Two Cultures” in education. By holding both perspectives, he was able to give us a rich conceptualization of the relationship between these two seemingly contrasting fields. When talking about the two cultures, I am explicitly referencing humanities and the sciences. As a Philosophy major, I primarily concern my studies with humanities. As a transfer, I have not taken any science courses at UCLA. Most of my coursework is upper division requirements for my major.
 |
| Charles Percy Snow |
This quarter I am taking a class on the Philosophy of Medicine that attempts to bridge the gap between the two cultures. I also see these two cultures represented in the overall layout of the campus. UCLA is primarily divided into South and North Campus. North Campus focuses on Humanities while South Campus is for the sciences. After doing the readings and listening to the lectures, it is now clear to me on how universities separate the humanities from the sciences. Regardless of the size of the college campus, this tends to be the common structures used by many universities. Adams State University (the school I transferred from) is a much smaller school compared to UCLA. The departments aren’t separated by vast distances, but instead, they are distinguished by different buildings.
 |
| Campus Map of the University of California, Los Angeles |
Regardless, the segregation still exists, and it is easier for me to identify it after doing the readings. This is something that I previously ignored because I thought of it as the normal standard for schools. This new perspective that I gained helps me identify the disparities between the sciences and humanities and helps me to attempt to solve this problem. I feel that the two are more connected than we might initially think. In fact, I believe that they depend on each other. In the sciences, it is necessary that they push the metaphysical boundaries to make new discoveries. The humanities must take empirical evidence into account when making claims about things that exist in the world.
 |
Campus Map of Adams State University (Alamosa, Colorado)
|
Claud, Landen. “UCLA Campus Map.” Civinate, 12 Nov. 2018, www.civinate.com/campus/ucla-campus-map/attachment/ucla-campus-map-from-wallydogwear-3.
Harris, Bradford. “The Two Cultures, by C. P. Snow.” YouTube, YouTube, 21 Nov. 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWT9mdP_qfI&t=9s.
Snow, C.P. The Two Cultures and The Scientific Revolution.Cambridge University Press, 1959.
Snow, Charles P. “The Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution Audible Audiobook – Unabridged.” Amazon, Jason McCoy, www.amazon.com/Two-Cultures-Scientific-Revolution/dp/B07D84B2BJ.
Vesna, Victoria. “Toward a Third Culture: Being in between.” Leonardo, Vol. 34, No. 2. The MIT Press, 2001, pp. 121-125.
This was fascinating to read. I love to hear your perspective on this matter especially as a philosophy major! I think that the Philosophy of Medicine class sounds absolutely amazing an example of what Professor Vesna was describing when she described progressing towards a 3rd culture. I had no idea UCLA offered that course, and am now looking forward to potentially sign up for it! Thank you so much, this was refreshing to read!
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI was fascinated as well when I was doing the readings and started to analyze UCLA in context. Its crazy how we are school that is so focused on community and inclusion, but our basis and general set up of the school is the exact opposite. It is rather disappointing that a progressive school like UCLA has failed to recognize the internal flaws and its continuous contribution towards separating two very connected cultures. Fascinating to hear that there is a philosophy of medicine class, it sounds very insightful! Thanks for your thoughts!