‘Humanities, Sciences: Radically Different but Vital Enterprises’

It’s unfortunate and surprising that The Times would publish Lee Dembart’s thinly veiled denigration of the humanities in his article extolling scientific progress (Science/Medicine, Oct. 10). His obvious prejudice makes one question his motives.

Sadly, I can’t argue with Dembart when he says science has made “clear progress.” Imagine what the world would be like if science had not made these giant strides: a world without life-threatening pollution; without a hazardously reduced ozone layer; without chemical and germ warfare; without the constant threat of nuclear holocaust. Of course, I’m being unfair by ignoring one side of the equation; but that’s the same crime Dembart is guilty of.

If there is salvation for mankind from the horrors that science and technology have wrought, I believe it will come from the civilizing effects of the arts, not from a bunch of ivory-tower theoreticians.

DANIEL BURNHAM

Bishop