> There is an economic benefit to specialization. I worry that gets forgotten when this debate comes up.
There is. But when you get too entrenched in a single line of thought, then you lose the ability to solve problems that don't fit neatly into that single line of thought.
Witness all the science geeks who only know how to build or calculate things (but may not have a broader concept of the why or what of what they're doing - maybe this is why everyone has a start-up looking for a problem), and all the humanities or business people who can't figure out basic technology or other problems.
If science people had a better understanding of the humanities, philosophy, etc..., and humanities people learned to solve problems, I do think society would benefit.
This doesn't mean we shouldn't specialize, only that we should explore outside of our comfort zone and world view...
There is. But when you get too entrenched in a single line of thought, then you lose the ability to solve problems that don't fit neatly into that single line of thought.
Witness all the science geeks who only know how to build or calculate things (but may not have a broader concept of the why or what of what they're doing - maybe this is why everyone has a start-up looking for a problem), and all the humanities or business people who can't figure out basic technology or other problems.
If science people had a better understanding of the humanities, philosophy, etc..., and humanities people learned to solve problems, I do think society would benefit.
This doesn't mean we shouldn't specialize, only that we should explore outside of our comfort zone and world view...