As a computer science major, I do
not deny the importance of STEM majors. Slaughter made a very good argument as
to why diversity in the engineering field needs to continue growing. Getting
people from all different backgrounds helps broaden the collective viewpoint of
everyone in the field of study. When
more observations or points of view are considered, people can make better
decisions when trying to solve problems. More importantly, they will be able to
understand which problems need addressing. That way, more people can be helped
through the scientific progress brought by the new, diverse generation of engineers
and scientists.
Later in the article, Slaughter
mentions the importance of the humanities, and how engineers and scientists
need to be refined in social, ethical, and cultural aspects. Again, I agree
with many of the points that he made. People working in the scientific field
cannot only have a scientific understanding. They need to be able to apply this
understanding to how their scientific progress affects the world. If they do
think about the implications their work can have on humanity, disastrous consequences
may arise. For example, the Manhattan Project was a giant step in the world of
physics. Scientifically, it was a major success in harnessing the power of the
atom. However, the way it was used to end World War II is still morally unclear
today. The Cold War was another unseen side-effect of the development of
nuclear weapons. No one is sure whether it could have been avoided, but we can
learn from history and make sure that our current engineers and scientists are more
knowledgeable in the humanities, so that they may bring the world into a more
hopeful future.
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