Self-study
P1
An effort should be made to dispel the misunderstandings that still prevent the much-needed synthesis and mutual supplementation of science and the humanities. ███
Problem ·
Misunderstandings prevent the synthesis of science and the humanities
The misunderstanding should be dispelled. Science and the humanities should be synthesized.
Solution ·
Not hard
Just need to clear up basic misunderstanding of the philosophical foundations of science and humanities.
P2
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Problem ·
Humanists misunderstand science
Humanists (mistakenly) view science as a mechanical reduction to "bodies in motion." That scientists are only interested in the material world.
Problem ·
Humanists are wrong
Author sees this as a "caricature" of science. Author implies that science does not ignore or explain away the most essential human values. That science can have something to say about morality, religion, and the arts.
P3
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Problem ·
Scientists misunderstand humanities
Scientists (mistakenly) view humanities as only interested in emotion and sentiment. That humanities are useless because it serves no pragmatic purpose (contra science and technology). That morality, religion, and the arts are of secondary importance.
P4
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Problem ·
misconceptions on both sides
Author is reiterating the problem.
Solution ·
Scientific humanism
Two sides can be reconciled. Both try to understand and explain people and the world.
Solution ·
Synthesis
Scientific humanism combine what works from both: scientific methods and attitude plus interest in human values.
Solution ·
Obstacle
Ignorant view of each side.
Solution ·
Likelihood of Success
Possible and even probably if focus is on common objectives (understanding people and the world).
Passage Style
Critique or debate
Problem-analysis
12.
In using the phrase "
a
wildly emotional
Although the scientists think humanists are “interested” in emotion, there’s a difference between being interested in emotion and being “wildly emotional.” Being “interested” in emotion refers to what one is interested in studying. But it’s not a comment on one’s emotional state (i.e. sad, happy, hysterical, etc.). This is why (A) doesn’t fit the meaning of the highlighted phrase. The scientists never comment on the humanists’ emotional state.
b
excessively impractical
This best captures the meaning of the highlighted line, because it’s in keeping with the point of the surrounding lines. The scientists think humanists are focused on things that are useless and serve no function for the practical survival of human society.
c
unnecessarily intransigent
“Intransigent” means unwilling to change one’s views. This doesn’t make sense as the meaning of the highlighted phrase, because nothing in P3 suggests the scientists believe humanists are stubborn or won’t change their minds.
d
justifiably optimistic
This doesn’t make sense as the meaning of the highlighted phrase, because nothing in P3 suggests the scientists think humanists are optimistic. We don’t get any sense that scientists think humanists believe the future will be good.
e
logically inconsistent
“Logically inconsistent” means contradictory. This doesn’t make sense as the meaning of the highlighted phrase, because P3 doesn’t suggest scientists think humanists are contradicting themselves. We’re never told scientists think humanists hold two beliefs that can’t both be true at the same time.