The humanities are often considered the sciences of the past, not in the sense that they are not needed now, but in the fact that a huge layer of philosophy and history of language has remained in the past and today is undergoing not such dramatic changes as the sphere of science and technology. Most of the people who believe in the existence of the future believe that their lives will be closely intertwined with advanced technology. Consequently, the number of applicants to the humanities faculties is decreasing, and scientific advisers often diminish the importance of the humanities for the labor market.
But the main thing is that science and technology are aimed at helping people. The interface between humans and advanced technology is the borderline where a humanitarian point of view is essential.
Is there a place for "humanities" in the future?
Thirty years ago in the West, developing narrow expertise was the key to professionalism. The manufacturer of rubber-soled leather shoes was supposed to know all about making leather and rubber in the shape of shoes, and had no time for peripheral learning.
Those who did not listen to this advice became carriers of interdisciplinary perspectives and modern innovations. And today they declare that in the future we will see the integration of the humanities into solid science and technology. Academic research on how humans and machines interact will rejuvenate disciplines that have become inactive and link the humanities to our future, not the past.
Several examples come to mind. First of all, this is research on the topic of ethics. There are big ethical questions about genetic engineering: What changes in the human genetic process do we need to make? Should we create in people the qualities that society wants to see in them?
Another area is related to the consequences of collecting big data: how do we use the huge amount of information that people collect on a daily basis and analyze it in the interests of psychology and the social sciences? Can we use this data to build computer models that can predict human behavior to inform policy or political decisions?
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Recent developments in robotics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning are addressing fundamental philosophical questions: what is consciousness? Is there free will?
There are also existential questions about the purpose of human life: Will robots and AI replace human labor in all directions, from construction sites to scientific research? How will the future economy adjust to a new reality in which people will need to work less? Will people retire forever? If so, what will be their meaning in life?
And there will be fundamental questions about whether human creativity in art or science is unique or can be replicated by machines. Will we be in a world in which AI will be used to create art or unexpected scientific discoveries? AI is already being programmed to replace doctors when prescribing drugs for patients with known symptoms, but should computers also make treatment decisions? And if AI makes mistakes that harm people, should software developers be legally responsible, or should self-learning algorithms be considered independent of their human creators?
Social media is already bringing to the fore the public debate about data privacy: how can we protect our privacy in the future of information technology? Who should be allowed access to the data? How to mitigate losses from unexpected leaks?
It is not hard to imagine how the ancient Greeks would fit into modern science and technology. Without a doubt, Aristotle would have been fascinated by the cosmology of the Big Bang. Aristarchus of Samos would have been delighted with the latest discoveries of exoplanets. Zeno Eleisky became interested in the possibility of turning on the machine using the Apple Watch app. Socrates would criticize the herd mentality of social media.
Philosophers, sociologists, psychologists and artists will take part in the future development of technology to better meet human needs and values. Humanitarians will be needed because technology is going beyond the conventional iron and silicon concepts.
Ilya Khel
