Under the Microscope: The recent OECD report on third-level education in Ireland portrayed the role of the universities and institutes of technology almost entirely as economic service to the nation. The report was warmly welcomed by the Conference of Heads of Irish Universities and there was little or no public reaction against it by the arts and humanities sector. All of which begs the question: what use are the arts and humanities?
The modern world runs on science-based technology and consequently there is no doubt that science, engineering and technology are directly coupled with the economy. Neither is there any disagreement about the utilitarian contributions of health sciences, commerce and business studies and even the social sciences. But what about literature, poetry, philosophy, classical studies, history, music, languages, religion, the various arts and so on?
It is hugely ironic that this question can even be asked now. Until very, very recently, when we pondered on the uniquely valuable things that Ireland has produced, uncontested pride of place went to our writers, poets and musicians/composers, and ancient crafts. Our prowess in science, engineering and technology never entered people's heads. But, now, all of a sudden, our entire focus is on science and technology.
The arts and humanities are of intrinsic value in themselves, but they also have vital indirect economic value. For example, literature is indispensable in analysing how we negotiate our individual ways through the complexities of our whole lives and our interactions with others. History analyses our motivations and actions in the past and helps us to avoid repeating the same mistakes now and in the future.
Philosophy assists us to discern what is true and what is false, what is ethical and what is unworthy, what is wise and what is trite. Music exercises the emotional side of the soul. Painting and sculpture reflect back our own humanity to us and our sense of beauty and the sublime. Religion helps us to answer questions of ultimate meaning.
In fact, much of what makes life bearable for most people lies outside of the fields of science and technology. Imagine living in a world without literature, or without music, or without art. One thing you can be certain of is that the economy would be in big trouble in such a nightmare scenario. Although composing a piece of music produces no "widgets" that can be pressed into some "useful" service, listening to this music for an hour or so in the evening helps the "widget-maker" to return the next day to the "widget-lathe".
Nigel Biggar, professor of theology at TCD, points out that the arts and humanities provide an essential conduit of wisdom into our society. They introduce their students to foreign worlds, foreign either through the passage of time, unfamiliar languages, social organisation and religious and philosophical convictions. Familiarity with such worlds allows us to question our own familiar worlds in ways we would otherwise not have conceived, in addition to enlightening us on foreign cultures with which we necessarily must deal in the modern world. The arts and humanities also teach us to treat foreign worlds well.
I am very surprised that the arts and humanities sector at third level is not exercising itself more vigorously (that is, if it is exercising itself at all) on this matter. And all the more so, because this sector contains many spokesmen and women who are very publicly vocal on a wide variety of social issues, all of which are much further removed from them than the current pressures on their very own disciplines. I remember raising this matter a short while ago at a university public meeting to commemorate Cardinal Henry Newman. I got a somewhat irritated response and a patronising assurance that the matter was being dealt with by "the quiet word behind closed doors". All I can say to that particular tactic is - God between us and all harm.
We hear a lot nowadays about the desirability of becoming a "knowledge-based economy". The knowledge referred to here is scientific and technical knowledge. I fully agree with this ambition. We have grown our Celtic Tiger by manufacturing other people's ideas. This is no longer a feasible option as our wages are now too high to keep us competitive. We must move up the value chain, generate our own ideas and manufacture them. This means greatly strengthening our scientific and technological base and competence.
However, although scientific knowledge has the capacity to make us rich, it cannot tell us how to live happy and contented lives. That requires wisdom, and without wisdom everything is at risk. Prof Biggar points out that there is little point in becoming a "knowledge economy" unless we can also become a "wisdom-based economy". The route to the knowledge economy is science, the route to the wisdom economy is largely through arts and humanities.
It is all well and good to keep the Celtic Tiger fat but let us also remember the words of Abd Er-Rahman III, Caliph of Cordoba, who said: "I have now reigned about 50 years in victory or peace, beloved by my subjects, dreaded by my enemies, and respected by my allies. Riches and honours, power and pleasure, have waited on my call, nor does any earthly blessing appear to have been wanting to my felicity. In this situation, I have diligently numbered the days of pure and genuine happiness which have fallen to my lot. They amount to 14."
William Reville is associate professor of biochemistry and public awareness of science officer at UCC, http://understandingscience.ucc.ie