Are you bored?
I am describing 2 attitudes of students. Both sets are neither exhaustive nor mutually exclusive. But their contrast is best to illustrate my point.
"I came to philosophy through mathematics" - Bertrand Russell, in his essay Logial Atomism
"The mathematicians do not treat mathematics as what we have in mind in our daily usage. To them, it is a philosophy." - Wong Wei Pin, a friend of mine, majoring in pure mathematics, currently pursuing a joint master programme by NUS and Ecole Polytechnique.
How many students possess this attitude when coming to their modules? When we deal with mathematics, are we aware of its beauty or the fundamental philosophical ground? Or do we stop at the "engineering level" of maths feeling satisfied to fulfil the grades? I do not mean to insult engineers, but merely to allude that some of us, particularly those that confine themselves only to the syllabus, treat the subject only as a tool and do not wish to see the bigger or deeper picture in their fields of study.
Are languages merely a tool to communicate? Have we ever been touched by the aesthetic value of our favourite language? Are all subjects really separated? Do you feel it unthinkable or ridiculous that a study in Chinese language will affect one’s tastes in music, chess, calligraphy or painting and vice versa? Will philosophy help in the understanding of martial arts? (I believe this is the reason Bruce Lee took philosophy in University of Washington.) Are we puzzled by one’s claim that his study in Economics has piqued an interest in Law, subsequently leading him to delve into the area of human behaviour - Psychology (which partly work beneath the two), and finally the stock market? [edited]
It seems there are some common grounds, some overlappings at the fundamental level of each field. A study in a subject will drive an enlightened student into others, and slowly branching out in all directions. Compared with those appeased only with grades, who is likely to lead a fulfilling life?
Think again, are you tasklessly bored in the holidays because there is no syllabus assigned to you?
May 11th, 2005 at 7:25 am
Yes, good observation and analysis there. If you look back at the great thinkers and philosophers like Leonardo Da Vinci, Michalangelo, Newton, etc., these people do not only specialize in one area/subject. Instead, their thinking capacity allowed to contribute to both Art, Science and Philosophy.
Continue to push and stress yourself. However, be aware that Actuarial Science cannot be taken as ‘just another subject’…
May 12th, 2005 at 6:52 am
Have to strike a balance..
May 12th, 2005 at 4:54 pm
You may like to take a look at the book ‘Consilience’ by Edward Wilson, who explores this theme in quite some depth.
Its entry on amazon.co.uk comes with a lengthy review by an enthusiastic reader, which may give you a better feel of what the book is about.