I agree with the statement for which it is more important for students to study history and literature than it is for them to study science and mathematics because I consider a general knowledge of past events and their reflection on the construction of ideals is essential to contextualize and give an ethical foundation to whatever scientific knowledge students may gather.
The Scientific method is one of the biggest achievements of human history. It is a self-critical, observation based and accurate way to generate evidence from which we can achieve rules and principles that are indispensable for our improvement as eternal learners of the natural world in which we inhabit . However, at the same time, the knowledge of the path of human history itself becomes a fundamental necessity to apply this almost perfect method and to take the maximum advantage of our potential.
Just like the scientific method does, we need to use the trial and error approach to our history and learn from the past mistakes of humankind in order to redirect our path as the animal race we are. This in order for us to live in peace, brotherhood and freedom. Students need to know and understand the history and the implication of historical events on the humankind’s thinking, the development of arts and ideals, and the study of not only history but literature becomes crucial for students to be able to apply the best approach to scientific knowledge nowadays.
Knowledge can’t be understood as a unilateral process, scientific development without ethical values stops being worthy to be achieved, when it is not dangerous, and the same goes in the opposite way too. For these reasons I strongly believe biology, art, mathematics, letters, physics, history, algebra and philosophy have to develop themselves taking into account each other, as if they were equally fundamental in the success of the odysseic adventure of human development.
