On June 10th, the 19th “Master Lecture” and the first lecture of the 2022 MEM compulsory course Science and Technology Humanities Special Lecture were successfully held. In today's world of great changes, the entanglement between technology and humanity in modern society is manifested as technology reshaping humanity and humanity guiding technology. Modern technology can provide new theoretical tools, research materials, and technological means for the study of human literature; At the same time, the theory of humanities and social sciences should also play a leading role in technological innovation and human life, and cnstruct the Chinese people's own knowledge system. In June 2023, on the second anniversary of the opening of the Master Lecture Hall, Shanghai International School of Chief Technology Officer (CTO School), East China Normal University, specially invited four top experts and scholars in the field of humanities and social sciences to deliver the Science and Technology Humanities Lecture. We hope that students could learn about innovative prophets in the field of humanities and academia, altering the way of thinking and cognition, and become outstanding CTO talents with both humanistic spirit and mission beliefs in the future through this series of lectures. Professor. Yang Guorong, a distinguished professor of Changjiang Scholar from the Ministry of Education and dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences of East China Normal University, was invited to give a lecture on the topic of Science and Humanities: Philosophical Thinking.
Professor. Yang Guorong first introduced the concept and development process of science. He said that science is a cognitive activity and cognitive achievement, corresponding to the Humanities, mainly natural science. Broadly speaking, science also includes social sciences. Science is the process of viewing the world as an object, grasped through empirical science and observation and experimentation. Scientific research is conducted in a mathematical way, using a mathematical form. In fact, it regards mathematization as the true connotation of science, that is, science mainly uses mathematical methods for experimental connections. The solution of scientific problems cannot be separated from the needs of reality. Humanities explains, evaluates, and makes judgments. What is the world studied by natural science and what should be studied by Humanities? The process of human growth has various needs, not only to seek truth, but also to pursue goodness as the object. The scientific research object is the broader pursuit of refinement, truth, and goodness in humanities research. Truth, goodness, and beauty are different meanings of interest relationships. Truth not only has a natural function, but also a conscious pursuit.
Science regards the world as an object, while Humanities not only regards the world as an object, but also pays more attention to the relationship, communication and connection between people through interpretation and evaluation. If we conduct a realistic examination of science, it questions different concepts. In historical development, science is related to mythology and religion. When scientific knowledge is expressed in language, it is accepted by people; When science uses knowledge to explain, it cannot do without the application of language. The legitimacy of scientific knowledge often relies on affirmation through narrative means. The emergence of scientific content is related to humanistic care and values.
Science tells facts, and humanities research should. During the development of humanities, closed cultures have formed, and it is also difficult to understand each other between humanities and science. Scientism shows respect for science and culture, while Humanism pays attention to humanity. In this way, science and people confront each other. From the perspective of the entire society, the confrontation between science and humanities leads to cultural division. Of course, we cannot deny the value of science because of the bias of various doctrines. The essence of science is the construction of this world. It is in the process of constructing the world that science manifests as the way humans exist. But people's grasp of the world is not only based on scientific cognition, but also pursues various meanings in the cultural world.
The Dialectical Relationship between Humanities and Science
Professor. Yang focused on the dialectical relationship between humanities and science. He pointed out that science changes objects through factual cognition. Humanistic exploration is the elaboration of meaning, the interpretation of meaning, and the reference of meaning. Human exploration is presented in a different way from science. The scientific world and the humanistic world are constantly evolving processes, and the two cannot replace each other. From a practical perspective, the two are interrelated and mutually penetrating. Humanities guide science, and without guidance on values, science can be harmful. Humanities cannot exist outside of science, and the objects explained by Humanities are often related to science. On the one hand, humanities transcend science, and on the other hand, humanistic concepts provide guidance for science.
Overall, science and humanities form a system of support and connection, which in a sense has self-fairness. It is important to maintain a dialogue between the two. To determine the value of science, understand it, and have an open attitude towards science, to avoid indulging in the pursuit of empty words and ideals. The two should complement each other. Continuously achieving communication and understanding between scientists and humanists through dialogue in two fields. In the broadest sense, science includes knowledge that is differentiated from different disciplines. Enterprise development and talent development also involve understanding the world, understanding external objects, and enhancing knowledge boundaries. Professor. Yang believes that humanities are a form of science. There is a trend now to use a scientific method to decompose some aspects of humanities. Science has a sense of pursuit towards humanities, and the confrontation between the two is caused by their pursuit and decomposition. Humanities and science are both human knowledge, one is consciousness and the other is knowledge. Humanities belong to the part of consciousness, while science belongs to the part of knowledge.
Technology leads development. The development of science and technology is very important. Currently, there are many comments on scientific and technological issues. As a modern science, AI will get a more comprehensive and objective understanding of society based on Big data. An important feature of artificial intelligence is data, which enables timely and accurate judgment and response to relevant information. The application of artificial intelligence can also greatly improve people's working conditions and play a significant role in economic development. From a scientific perspective, as our technology develops, our understanding of the world becomes clearer. Everyone understands the essence of this world and tends towards unity from a scientific perspective.
Student exchange of thoughts
After the lecture, Professor. Yang had a warm interaction and exchange with the attendees. The students expressed their learning experiences and insights from this class. Student Huang Wei stated that the entire lecture opened the door to a new understanding of the relationship between science and humanities, which greatly benefited people. Science reflects certain natural laws and exists objectively; Humanity can better reflect people's values. The two are interrelated and require us to summarize and explore more from the past to the present. Student Zhang Xinyao stated that science and humanities are mutually opposed and closely integrated. Science exists objectively, and the core of humanities is people-oriented. The combination of the two can better promote social development and create a better future. Student Xing Yu’e stated that this lecture is truly a dialectical feast of humanities and science. Introduce the opposition and unity between humanities and science from the history of their separation and integration. Wisdom and knowledge, narrow and broad, trigger us to think new things based on past experiences, current life, and future spirit. Professor Yang not only brings the existing theoretical system, but also interprets the latest cutting-edge technology, giving everyone confidence in technology and humanities.
