Which studies are most important, and why?
October 27, 2009 5:33 PM   Subscribe

Of all subjects taught at universities today, which are the five most important to the advancement* of the human species?

* defined as you please.

I mean to ask this: in which five subjects would a widespread lack of expertise be potentially catastrophic?

I don't necessarily mean five subjects you think everyone should know about. You could also offer five subjects which at least some people should always know about.

Feel free to explain what disastrous consequences ignorance of your top five subjects would entail.
posted by edguardo to Society & Culture (3 answers total)

This post was deleted for the following reason: this seems more like something you want to talk about than something you want the answer to. chatfilter. -- jessamyn

 
I'm concerned about the disastrous consequences of chatfilter.

but OK:

Mathematics: as foundational for all of the below
Physics: ditto
Chemistry: ditto
Medicine / Public Health: obvious
Engineering: same
posted by leotrotsky at 5:38 PM on October 27, 2009


Humanities
posted by fire&wings at 5:38 PM on October 27, 2009


Leotrosky: ditto.

Although I'd emphasize chemistry, but I'm biased.

Reasons? Renewable/green technologies, medicines, etc.
posted by mikeweeney at 5:44 PM on October 27, 2009


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