A Word to the Practitioners of Non Scientific Disciplines from a Peer

By Vani P Nair -


 

A Word to the Practitioners of Non Scientific Disciplines from a Peer

    Having your existence and worth questioned recurrently in life can be a mind numbing and soul crushing event. When the same happens in the field of academia it is belittling, embarrassing and intellectually lethal at best. The practitioners of non-scientific academic disciplines are, now more than ever, being forced to validate their existence in the academic world, repeatedly, to no avail. Considering this eventuality to be premeditated on the part of the scientific community to project their relevance by contrasting it against the “opposing group” will do no good to anyone. It is time we stopped pointing fingers and took responsibility for ensuring that our disciplines be made current, in keeping with the course of the global civilisation’s path ahead to the future.

    So, how do we alter our roles as mute spectators, indulging in stodgy running commentaries on life altering events from the fringes, to active participants and make our presence felt by effecting positive influence in both the real and the academic world? All we have to do is practice what we preach and be more inclusive. There is no denying that science has taken over our existence. Hence, scientists have a tremendous say in the way our lives are getting shaped. However, the pace of the scientific progress is such that the experts involved do not take it upon themselves to pause and introspect on its consequences to the present and future, for fear of lagging behind.

    This is where we come to shoulder the burden. Our subjects are equipped with all the necessary tools to realise this possibility. But the question is, are we as practitioners aware enough to take up this responsibility. We as a community have always frowned upon specialisations and have even put up deliberate resistance to emulating this practice in our respective streams of studies. The idea is to keep our minds open and not to be encumbered by disciplinary parochialisms. Though the sentiment does validate the practice to a great extent, one should also acknowledge the fact that the extent of information available out there is way more than what one man or woman can master.

    The need for specialisations is especially felt among the doctoral or post- doctoral researchers more than the undergraduate or the postgraduate students. Diversity in the curriculum is obviously mandatory in the basic degree courses to ensure a comprehensive grasp of the subject and prepping them better to channel their academic interests towards more apposite terrains. But once you attain a landing, one cannot afford to get distracted by the greener pastures on the other side. There has always been a practical dimension to all our branches of studies. So far all we have done is to mildly acknowledge its presence without wading too deep into its core. Now, I would say, is the time to boldly embrace it and make informed interventions such that our presence is not ignored as a mere flicker in the grand scheme of things.

If after reading this article you are in a mood to judge my observations unfavourably, then know that I speak from my mistakes that spanned for over a decade than my achievements. If you are still not convinced, ask yourself this question: if the world were to end tomorrow, will one of us, with our questionable academic skills, be ever considered important enough to make it to the ark and be chosen to be a part of the minimum viable population? If your answer is yes, I have nothing more to say. However, if it is no, then maybe you should rethink your approach.

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