With the advent of technology and the sciences, the various fields of science and the arts are blurring.

We have cognitive science, information technology, computational neuroscience, formal logic, A.I. systems theory, etc.

Many of these fields did not exist before. My suspicion in the future, we will see objectivity brought to the arts and sciences being far more creative.

There is that angle to be considered as well.

Though I still consider job prospects to be more important than most else, you are right on many accounts. At the very minimum, I will reflect upon what you’ve said.

Best of luck to you. You’ve provided me with much interesting thought and insight. Good luck in your selfless service to others through your career.

You make fair points. I need to reflect on what you’ve said.

“I did not include a great number of studies that have consistently shown that participation in arts courses strongly correlates to higher performance in other academic areas.”

Could you kindly supply this? I wish to learn and expand my views.

I respectfully disagree for three reasons.

First, as indicated by some of the research I referenced, increased exposure to the arts fosters creativity and critical transferable skills that are useful in any field, including the sciences. I did not include a great number of studies that have consistently shown that participation in arts courses strongly correlates to higher performance in other academic areas.

Second, the arts can and do provide employment. In my own case (and those of many other friends with liberal arts degrees), I built my career on the soft skills I acquired through theatre, music, psychology, philosophy and literature courses. In fact, I’ve found that what I learned during my undergraduate studies has consistently been more useful in my work than the content from my master’s degrees in education and business. In short, the arts taught me HOW to learn, and that is an incredibly powerful tool regardless of which profession you choose.

Third and most importantly, you indicated that it’s “irresponsible to promote the arts in such a harsh time”. I would argue that is precisely times like these that we need a GREATER focus on the arts. Our cultures are increasingly stratified and divided precisely because we are failing to develop communications skills, empathy, integrity and an appreciation for diverse points of view. By neglecting the importance of these, we produce technically capable graduates who lack the fundamental attributes needed to be well-adjusted adults who can contribute to society. The arts inspire and challenge us in a unique way that other core academic areas do not, and they are integral to our progress.

It’s irresponsible to promote the arts in such a harsh time.

The arts ought to be promoted as a supplementary to the sciences; one could suggest a friend than minor in music rather than to major in it.