Vincenzo Fiore Marrese

Art and science

Abstract

I assume that the humanities and art are not separate fields but one single field. This field appears distinct from the science field. Since I assume art and humanities as one field, researching art and science implies the humanities and science relationship.

One can say that a field is «an area of activity or interest»[note 1]. However, a field is also «an area of land, used for growing crops or keeping animals, usually surrounded by a fence»[note 2]. Within the frame of art, humanities and science, it is a matter of division of knowledge.

On a factual level, this division affects educational institutions, suggesting a way to shape courses of study.

From a critical point of view, it appears to drive political consequences. For instance, according to Ben Mulvey, humanities are essential for democracy[note 3]. On the other side, Judith Butler claims that humanities have the power to call into question the "hegemony of neoliberalism"[note 4].

Bibliography

1. Butler, Judith. "The Public Futures of the Humanities." Daedalus 151, issue 3 (Summer 2022): 40–53. https://doi.org/10.1162/daed_a_01927
2. Mulvey, Ben. "Why Democracy Needs the Humanities." Quadrivium: A Journal of Multidisciplinary Scholarship 3, issue 1, article 5 (Spring 2011).

Notes

1. Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary, s.v. "field," accessed 18 April, 2023, https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/field back to the text
2. Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary, s.v. "field," accessed 18 April, 2023, https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/field back to the text
3. Mulvey, "Why Democracy Needs the Humanities," 3. back to the text
4. Butler, "The Public Futures of the Humanities," 40. back to the text