Combine of Liberal Arts and Science

The Thinker, Photo Credit: Unsplash

Have you ever tried to combine two separate things? For example, what would happen if you put egg and tomato together? As a result, that would give us a Chinese dish called “Tomato and Egg Stir Fried.” However, it might be hard for those who never had it to imagine its taste. Surprisingly, this dish is quite popular in China and many people liked it. Now, what would happen if this applied to study fields and subjects? Dr. Scott Carpenter, who studied literature, STEM, nuclear science, etc., is a perfect example of how different things can be connected, leading to a good result. 

        In 1961, after Scoot was born two months later, his parents moved from Indiana to California. The childhood of Scott might not be what many people imagined about successful people. Instead of staying in a large house and a fancy car, Scott was born into a normal family and spent a lot of time with his friend “…playing, unsupervised,” Scott explained. During Scott’s time, many people did not know how to be good parents. Instead of spending time with their child, arguing will be more common. “And you could often hear the parents yelling at each other in some, you know, different houses,” Scott described. However, when we lose something, we usually gain a different thing soon. During the time Scott spent with his friend, they “…would go on their adventures,” Scott responded. Around that time, much of the entertainment we see today such as gaming and social media did not exist. Scott claimed that he was glad that he could be his person, which many of the children do not today. 

        After reaching high school, Scott’s thoughts about life start to develop deeper. The school Scott went to was an all-male Catholic high school. Scott was always thinking about questions such as the meaning and purpose behind life. At the age of 15, he “…decided that science was the way to learn the meaning of the universe, the meaning of life, and to try to understand why the world was the way it was,” Scott answered. His goal was set around that time too, to search for life.

        After reaching college, Scott’s life started to change. Back then, the way college worked was not how we see it now. Instead of having a whole team helping you to go to some good college, just taking the SAT would be one of the only things most students will do. Although Scott is motivated to learn and study, Scott's financial situation is not so optimistic. “…I worked three-quarter time to save money for college, for rent, for my car, all that stuff,” Scott explained. Sadly, Scott got kicked out of college because he was not able to afford the fees. This is not the first time Scott got kicked away from college. However, Scott does not want to end his study journey here. After realizing that the problem might be on him, he joined a program led by the military which can provide money for those who serve. Scott soon joined the submarines of the U.S. Navy, working with nuclear power plants. Scott loved his time there because “…I love space,” Scott responded, and the deep ocean is similar to the universe. After finishing the program, Scott’s officer asked him why he wanted to leave when he could be paid much more, “…I'm going to go to the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and help design nuclear fusion power reactors,” Scott responded.

English SAT Papers, Photo Credit: Unsplash

        During Scott’s time at the Laboratory, he earned two master's degrees and went for a PhD. When being asked how hard it was for him to get a PhD, “Not hard at all,” Scott claimed. Due to his experience in the military, Scott was prepared and received the title of PhD. During his PhD career, he mentioned that most people in PhD will often have research advisors, which are usually the professors. However, some of the professors’ research was not something Scott wanted to do, but he still eventually went through this process. 

        As a scientist, Scott was also interested in things people will never put together, Literature. Scott had studied Literature and Zeitgeist. He believes that to help him, as a scientist searching for the truth, he must know as much as possible. “So, I'm interested in the evolution of human civilization because it gives me a view of where we've been and where we might be going. “So, I can sort of see what's coming and maybe have a better feel for what the purpose of life is. So, a scientist can do literature, languages, physics, mathematics because that's what a scientist does,” Scott responded. Scott also loves to study history. He described that people who do not know history do not know what to do. The reason for how much literature, such as the story of Orpheus, has a bad ending is because the author wants people in the future “…to not make the same mistake,” Scott mentioned. 

         Within a variety of different experiences, Scott developed outstanding deep answers and thoughts about big questions in life. During Scott’s time as an educator, he found out the current education system might not be the best. Many students decide to do this not because they want to, but because they have to. When Scott asks his student why, they would normally respond because “my teacher said so” or "I want money,” but not the answer Scott wants to hear: “…’ I want to change the world’,” Scott suggested. Every school will teach you knowledge, but not wisdom. It is hard to get wisdom from knowledge, but it is easy to get knowledge from wisdom. Instead of school teaching what they should learn, schools should teach them how to learn. If Scott could give any suggestions to the teenagers, then it would be done yourself. In Scott’s opinion, if people are always told what to do, “…then I am not sure if they have free will,” Scott responded. 

        Scott never forgot his original goal, to find out the purpose of life. Currently, he believes the purpose of life for him is “…to find the purpose of life.” Scott mentioned that your parents are the only two people you can one hundred percent trust in this world. Whenever facing tough situations, we should always know that it is already a miracle for us to stay alive. “When you are alive, there’s hope,” Scott described. 

        To build something, we would often put similar things together. However, how do you know those things that look different cannot be put together? One’s beginning will never determine one’s life, and different stories will bring different thoughts. Our story ends, but Scott’s adventure continues.