Math and science necessary?
Below is my reply: The irony exuding from Dennis Hammond’s letter ("Math, science are key in education,” July 24th) is simply wonderful. He condenses an entire field of academic study (the Humanities or what Mr. Hammond calls the “Liberal Arts") into “nothing more than opinion and memorization,” equating this to brainwashing while beginning his letter, “I disagree with...”
Perhaps Mr. Hammond was being satirical. But, if he wasn’t and doesn’t realize his humorous faux pas, I’ll point the glaring fallacy in his argument: it *is* an argument. In other words, Mr. Hammond is providing an opinion.
I wonder where he learned to do this? In Algebra class? In Advanced Calculus?
The Humanities exist to enhance critical thinking and analytical skills.
The whole field of study includes Philosophy, English, Literature, History, Civics, Sociology, Art, Linguistics, Theology, Music, and Composition. In short, everything that makes us human (outside of biology).
With the recent uproar over immigration and furor over Hispanics who “just won’t learn English,” the Humanities are more important than ever. How else can we understand and make sense of the world around us without some basis of study?
You cannot create a mathematical formula for culture, language, or religion. Thus, the Humanities focus on the gray aspects of existence.
And, perhaps Mr. Hammond neglected to study the ancient philosophers that refined his daily practice of Algebra. Euclid comes to mind (a philosopher), as does Leonardo da Vinci.
The Liberal Arts are not some bastion of Socialist propaganda or brainwashing imposed on empty minds. The Liberal Arts are there to create critical minds—to allow Mr. Hammond to actually write his letter through the use of language and thought.
Then again, maybe we should just devolve into the “pure” Sciences of Mathematics and Physics. We’ll slowly transform all language and thought into binary and communicate through long series of 1’s and 0’s.
But that’s just my opinion.
This letter has not been edited.
And what,praetell, will we do with this math and science background? Go to work in India? Malaysia? Jobs arent leaving the US because the workforce isnt smart enuff, they are leaving because 3rd world countries will work for 9 cents/hr and a bowl of rice. I had an extensive math/science background that I rely on very little and I worked in the Hi-Tech industry. Unless you are going to be an engineer, it has little real world value.
Posted by jimmy on July 27, 2007 07:03 AMjimmy feels that math and science are not important even in a hi-tech industry. No wonder he is a former hi-tech worker.
Posted by Sean on July 27, 2007 12:31 PM