Introduction
The three cultures, namely, natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities, are contrasting elements that can be applied in the same setting. Namely, the segments can be integrated into the process of explaining and understanding society, human experience, and future changes. Nonetheless, all the subjects require human involvement, which is challenging as change is difficult to acquire if natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities are not effectively motivational for individuals to incorporate into their personal moral positions. On the other hand, a philosopher such as Kant aligns with the aim to better the environment through self-betterment. As a result, Kant could have provoked the population into being mindful of the social and natural setting in which each person is born in.
Evaluation
In order for Kant’s alignment with the present values to be exemplified, it is essential to evaluate the three cultures separately. As mentioned prior, natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities are the elements within the framework. Kagan highlights that while the segments contrast in regards to the tools applied to understand the subjects correlating with them, the cooperation between the three is the key to understanding human experience, nature, and society as a whole (Kagan). Natural sciences align with the idea that empirical evidence is to be applied to understand the natural phenomenon.
Social sciences, while also relying on empirical data, are applied to understand human societies. Last but not least, humanities rely on theoretical information rather than empirical evidence. The field, however, takes into consideration individuality and human differences rather than a statistical predisposition or demographical differences.
The state of the three cultures can be illustrated through their appliance. For example, social sciences are commonly implemented in research to determine the variables impacting a phenomenon. Nonetheless, researchers mention the presence of a debate on whether the subject is practically important (Fecher et al.). Namely, while research often shows the societal issues and potential variables impacting them, the information is not practically applied, which is why the barrier is not addressed. However, this is why having Kant for moral motivation would be effective in generating circumstances in which specific values become paramount in people’s lives.
Humanities, on the other hand, do not have the scientific approach that individuals would find valid to incorporate. For example, the debate about whether humanities will lead to the decline of societies is well-documented in research (Ferguson et al.). Moreover, the subject itself is on the decline due to the prevalence of evidence-based ideas (Goldstein). Natural sciences have also been less widely applied.
An example is the fact that companies are less likely to invest in the conducting of research correlating with natural sciences (Arora et al. 3). All three subjects have declined either due to the need for evidence, the lack of practical implementation, or the existing information that appears to be enough for the basic human understanding of the world. Nonetheless, the lack of adherence to the basic principles correlating with natural, social, and human phenomena negatively impacts multiple aspects. On the one hand, the lack of scientific advancements hinders opportunities to continue learning about human and natural elements. On the other hand, a dismissal of humanities leads to the failure to understand different individualities.
Background
Immanuel Kant, the German philosopher, introduced a concept that aligns with the importance of a consideration of the three cultures. Namely, Kant introduced the concept of the categorical imperative, which highlights the importance of acting in a way that should be included in universal law. This would benefit people as those who live destructively through the minimization of social initiatives is, by definition, self-destructive (Wallace 44).
Today’s Kant would criticize the current lack of involvement in social problems and initiatives as the universal law would require people to have a distinct moral position to defend in a public space. While being neutral is not regarded as inherently evil, a neutral general population facilitates the establishment of policies and rules that may not adhere to either natural, social, or humanities-related causes. Kant, on the other hand, held the belief that one should act based on how the entire public would act under perfect circumstances. In an ideal society, the members of the community seek to wither change or aim for development and are not passive when it comes to demanding these alterations. It is especially significant in regards to empathetic concepts as being passive towards cruelty, violence, and unfairness is, in some way, contributing to the further installment is said values.
Evidence
Current literature supports the need for change both through the illustration of public opinion as well as practical activities highlighting the necessity for establishing stronger cultures and collaborations between them. For example, it is highlighted that major corporations are less likely to invest in research (Arora et al. 3). This implies that both natural and social sciences are disregarded by some of the most significant economic drivers in the world and illustrates the need for change. Moreover, the literature mentions social sciences as not providing rigorous enough answers to questions that the general population asks (Auspurg and Brüderl).
The phenomenon may correlate with the invalidity of data or the narrow scope of the research that is being performed. On the other hand, the notion may be associated with the differences in methodology, data collection, and sample sizes, which illustrates the requirement for a more effective validity assessment to obtain a peer-reviewed status. It is also considered that such studies do not practically address societal problems (Fecher et al.). Needless to say, the authors also illustrate the current decline of the field of humanities (Ferguson et al.). Researchers mention that it may be linked to the development of STEMS disciplines (Goldstein). Currently, there is plenty of evidence portraying the negative connotations correlating with the current state of the three cultures and their role.
Analysis
As mentioned prior, Kant would motivate the masses to incorporate the three cultures when aiming for societal change and the betterment of the current circumstances. However, the analysis has contributed to the understanding that the domains are often not practically applied. For example, the transformation linked to the maximization of empathetic concern can address the environmental issues that have primarily been generated by the previous generation yet will most impact the ones to come. Such initiatives can also be addressed through medical research, yet social sciences can also be implemented to correct certain elements that minimize health equality (Greenhalgh). Thus, natural and social sciences are applied in a collaborative manner, which is what the transformation is to address.
Humanities, on the other hand, can be employed to confront the issue of communication between the different sectors and highlight the importance of empathetic concern. As a result, natural sciences are linked to research to confront medical barriers, social sciences to health inequalities, and humanities to improve communication and consider individual experiences. Kant highlighted the importance of operating based on the values that would serve as a universal law. As a result, if every person would seek justice and improvements based on the inequalities and challenges of the present day, the facilitation of all three cultures to be considered is vital. Moreover, the collaboration between the segments is not to be employed without the practical appliance of the research and concepts highlighted in social sciences, natural sciences, and humanities.
Conclusion
While Kant’s philosophical ideas were intended for an 18th-century environment, certain elements can be applied during the present days to address the need for an empathetic concern with current limitations regarding natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Namely, evidence highlights that the three cultures are either not effectively employed or practically implemented in areas of life such as environmental causes, economics, healthcare, and politics.
Kant, on the other hand, would seek a societal transformation that depends on the collaboration between the three notions. Specifically, the philosopher highlighted the importance of acting according to the values that are to be considered universal law. Thus, in case the general population would have aimed for a better overall environment, considering the three cultures and being motivated to change the current circumstances through evidence-based approaches would make a significant difference. As a result, theoretical ideas would be put into practice, and barriers such as inequality, ecological problems, and a lack of equity would be diminished.
Works Cited
Arora, Ashish, et al. “The Decline of Science in Corporate R&D.” Strategic Management Journal, vol. 39, no. 1, 2017, pp. 3–32. Web.
Auspurg, Katrin, and Josef Brüderl. “Has the Credibility of the Social Sciences Been Credibly Destroyed? Reanalyzing the ‘Many Analysts, One Data Set’ Project.” Socius: Sociological Research for a Dynamic World, vol. 7, 2021. Web.
Fecher, Benedikt, et al. “Understanding the Societal Impact of the Social Sciences and Humanities: Remarks on Roles, Challenges, and Expectations.” Frontiers in Research Metrics and Analytics, vol. 6, 2021. Web.
Ferguson, Margaret, et al. “Does the Decline of the Humanities Track the Decline in Civil Society?” New American Studies Journal, 2022. Web.
Goldstein, Ben. “Decline of the Humanities: Where Does It STEM From?” The Cornell Diplomat, 2021.
Greenhalgh, Trisha. “What Have the Social Sciences Ever Done for Equity in Health Policy and Health Systems?” International Journal for Equity in Health, vol. 17, no. 1, 2018. Web.
Kagan, Jerome. The Three Cultures: Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and the Humanities in the 21st Century. Cambridge University Press, 2009.
Wallace, Kathleen. “A Kantian Perspective on Individual Responsibility for Sustainability.” Ethics, Policy & Environment, vol. 24, no. 1, 2021, pp. 44–59. Web.