[Opinion] Consilience

Although there are widely different views on what the first academic study was, it is certain is that geometry and rhetoric were highly regarded during the Greek period – the embryonic stage of academic study. For instance, Plato praised geometry and rhetoric saying, “God is a geometrist and rhetoric is the magic of soul.” This tradition continued until the Middle ages. At a university which first appeared in the 12th century, the trivium (logic, grammar, and rhetoric), and the quadrivium (geometry, arithmetic, music and astronomy) were taught. One can arguably say that the trivium and the quadrivium are the root of today’s liberal arts and natural sciences.

Only two centuries ago, there was no definite division in the academic world. Leonardo da Vinci, a versatile figure from the Renaissance period, was a painter, scientist, mathematician and philosopher. Leonardo who is the father of perspective discovered the anatomy of the human body and produced numerous machine blueprints. Leonardo, who passed away while working on a French canal project, was also a civil engineer. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Germany’s most notable writer, showed in his work “Italian Journey” that he was also an exceptional geologist.

“The Pan-university Colloquium for the Studies of Future and Universities,” was held on Thursday at Seoul National University, involving 21 renowned professors from different academic fields, including philosophy, mathematics, English literature and biology. The purpose of the gathering was to prepare for the society of the future by tearing down the lofty walls among academic fields and among colleges, to promote the “grand integration of knowledge.” As the term “colloquium” is a Latin word meaning "to speak together,” visible is their willingness to look at the world from diverse perspectives by escaping from the snare of the major boundaries of studies.

Prof. Choi Jae-chun of Ewha Womans University calls the grand integration of knowledge consilience. Consilience is the mega trend of the 21st century. Biologist Edward O. Wilson, a chair professor at Harvard University, asserts in his book “consilience” that social sciences, including psychology, will be integrated into biology. These days, feelings such as love, which numerous poets and writers describe, can all be explained as brain activities. I look forward to their grand march into the blue ocean of academia.

Chung Sung-hee, Editorial Writer, shchung@donga.com