The Symphony of Art and Science: Why Interdisciplinarity Matters Now More Than Ever

Driven by the Industrial Revolution, the 19th century saw seismic advances in science and technology that have continued to this day. The establishment of specialized institutions focused on scientific inquiry and the rise of positivism, a philosophical model that emphasized the acquisition of knowledge from empirical observation, led to the concept of the STEM disciplines: science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. There was an increasing separation of the STEM disciplines from the arts and humanities, which were rooted in classical educational models that relied on rhetoric and philosophy. In parallel with this divergence of scientific and artistic scholarship, which continued into the 20th century, university curricula placed increasing emphasis on “real-world” or practical education that prepared learners for specific career trajectories, with a focus on value for money, return on investment, and marketability for employment. This movement led to a proliferation of courses that demonstrated explicit pathways to career destinations, a trend that continues today.