The cultural distinction between the arts and sciences is strongly ingrained into modern western society. I think that it is particularly ingrained in academic institutions like UCLA due to the traditional approach to learning that is analyzed in the RSA Animate production “Changing Education Paradigms.” This video resonated with me because it described and analyzed the education system, a topic that I am strongly invested in, having spent the last fifteen-plus years of my life learning in traditional educational environments. It proposed interesting ideas like the notion that ADHD is being over diagnosed, and that divergent thinking is stifled by our system of learning.

As many people have noted in their blogs, UCLA is a microcosm of the arts and science culture dichotomy. When you tour UCLA, one of the first things that the tour guides mention is that north Campus is where the arts and humanities classes are located, and south campus is where the sciences and engineering classes are located. As students, we perpetuate this distinction by rarely traveling to the other side of campus, and proudly purchasing shirts that display the division.

South and North Campus T-shirts

The book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig approaches the arts /science or aesthetic/analytical dichotomy. Pirsig concludes that there is an overarching idea, that he calls “Quality,” that transcends the unnatural cultural schism. He feels that great works of art and science are driven by pursuit of the same ideal. This book helped me reconcile studying engineering with my desire to have a creative profession.

There are many places where the arts and sciences naturally come together to create amazing work. The Ferrari LaFerrari is a supercar with a beautiful, yet functional exterior that has incredible performance due to precision engineering.

Ferrari LaFerrari

When science and art come together, they create wonder.

Sources

Changing Education Paradigms. Perf. Sir Ken Robinson. YouTube. Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, 14 Oct. 2010. Web. <http://youtu.be/zDZFcDGpL4U>.

"LaFerrari: The Most Extreme Performance Ever Achieved by a Ferrari." Ferrari GT. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2015.

Miller, John. "The Art and Science of Content Creation." The Art and Science of Content Creation. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2015.

Pirsig, Robert M. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values. New York: HarperTorch, 2006. Print.

Snow, C. P. The Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution. New York: Cambridge UP, 1959. Print.

"Store." Beta Psi Chapter. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2015.

"Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance | Paperback." HarperCollins US. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2015.