The conceptualization of the multidisciplinary major I propose, simply put, is the
quest for higher knowledge. It is not just knowledge, but a truth that cannot be disputed.
On a deeper note, the conceptualization of combining the disciplines of Philosophy,
Religion and Science can be stated as finding a higher truth and possibly a universal
“religion.” The fact that religion and science do not come together to form explanations
of eternal questions like how we were created or how the universe came to be is
problematic. There is a problem that in today’s cultures with modern worldviews, there
is a separation of religion and state. Many people live their lives, going about their
money making, claiming to be faithful Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Baptists, etc…,
feeling like good, “holy” people for attending a religious ceremony one day out of the
week and then driving to work the next day, cursing out other aggressive drivers. Of
course this is not the case for everybody; however, many people were born into families
of certain religions, raised to praise “God’s Holy Name” without ever being offered other
options. If one does take an education seriously in today’s modern world, it is not very
often that he or she will do much about the discrepancies between religion and science.
“Yes, I learned about Darwinism and evolution with the scientific facts to back them up,
but I’m still a descendent of Adam and Eve because that is what the Bible tells me.”
Why is this the view of not only Holy Cross students, Catholics and most Christians, but
also of religious people of modern worldviews as well? It seems to me that cultures of
“primitive” worldviews, although maybe not fully educated on many of the advances in
modern societies, seem to have a united way of life. Their lives are not divided into
“making their livings” and being good people under “God’s Kingdom.” Most people do
not know from where their religions originated but only know that if they go to church,
they will find salvation upon death.
A further issue I have with religion, going upon what was just said: if people
cared to take the time to study religions of all cultures going back to the beginning of
man-kind, and reviewed all that has been discovered; if people studied all of the
philosophers, starting with the Presocratics over 26 centuries ago; and if people reveled in
all the scientific discoveries that start from the Presocratics to Aristotle to Copernicus to
Galileo to Newton to Einstein and kept up the continual quest for an attempt at what
others have thought the truth to be, there just maybe, might be a small chance that wars
over religious differences that have been going on for centuries and continue to take lives
today, might cease to exist. It just might set a tone for the quest for universal truth. It is a
small idea of an attempt at world peace, not only for cultures all over the world, but for a
peaceful coexistence among different cultures and religions closer to home.
The previous explanation of the lack of education being a cause for not only
bloody religious battles, but science versus religious debates as well, does not fully
describe the conceptualization of the major. Like I said before, it is the conceptualization
of a search for knowledge and truth that the three disciplines bring together. They strive
to answer questions that may never be answered, but the thirst of a higher truth should
exist inside everyone. Although the study of the essential questions of life continues, it is
carried out by a select few. Only a few philosophers have previously written about what
might constitute a universal “religion” or way of living. The problem is that few people
get the message, and if they do, it is only to memorize it for a test in order to fulfill some
Philosophy requirement. I do not mean to discriminate against those whom wish to
pursue other areas of study. Still, when it comes to my conceptualization and where I
might go with the simple explanation of “a quest for truth,” neither Science, nor
Religious Studies or even Philosophy can take on the challenge alone. Some of the first
philosophers were actually what we would call today “physicists” or “mathematicians.”
Over time we have, now, at most collegiate institutions, separated the three most
important and exciting disciplines. Keep in mind that while college attendees are
increasing, they are still a minority in the population of the world. The conceptualization
in the study of Philosophy, Religion and Science should be required at the college level,
and if it could, at an elementary level as well.
Up to this point, I have spent much time explaining the crucial importance of
these three disciplines and through the continual studies of these by humankind, an
attempt at universality among cultures. But it is the combination of passionate feelings
about uneducated religious people and the sheer interest in the material of Philosophy,
Religion and Science that has led me to this point in my life.
Coming to Holy Cross, I had not a clue in what area of study to major. I took
only courses that filled the common requirements. In that process alone, some of the
classes started to change my views and perspectives about not only my own religion, but
as the world as a whole. After these requirements were done, I was stuck. There was
still no major that I thought would get me anywhere in life. After looking at a graph of
majors on the Y-axis and salaries of students directly out of college on the X-axis, I
declared Economics on the fact that the Economics bar went farthest along the X-axis, at
the top of the chart. Far below, at the very bottom of the graph were the two majors that
made the least money: Philosophy and Religious Studies. It seemed quite reasonable to
major in Economics, but I soon realized that Economics was not a “concrete” science like
I thought it would be. Rather, it is a social science that tends to look more at trends
instead of laws and theories like those in Physics. Part of this realization made me realize
that I wanted to study things that are “true.” I became interested in more Topics science
classes (science classes for non-majors) and began to read more scientific literature.
Knowing that Economics was not going to work out, I made a back up plan of declaring
myself a Philosophy major.
So back from the diversion of the indecision about a major, at this point, I do not
want to major in only Philosophy. Majoring in Philosophy will limit me to taking three
or four classes in Philosophy classes, when I would rather be taking two or three
Religious Studies classes and work on a capstone project. The most exciting part about
being this conceptualized multidisciplinary studies major is that I will be able to have
advisors to ask questions and to discuss important philosophical and essential issues. The
capstone project also very much enthuses me.
Normally, I suppose a proposee suggests classes that will be taken (14) to fulfill
the major within three disciplines. In my situation, I have already taken 14 classes which
I consider to fall under the three disciplines, although I would like to take two or three
religious studies classes next semester and work on a capstone project as well.
Here are a few examples of ideas that have been sparked in the process of the
acquisition of knowledge gained through these courses. I have recently been pondering
the fact that everything in the universe, from a table or chair to the rocks on the moon are
made of elements. These elements breakdown into atoms, then farther into protons,
neutrons and electrons. If everything is the same, does the commonality among chairs,
lace, diamonds, oxygen, etc…, being that they all consist of simple particles of mass and
energy, provide for an adequate explanation that the universe is just energy balancing
back and forth in equilibrium. According to the Theory of Conservation of Energy, it
does.
Another example concerns space. Obviously what we call air is not simply
“space.” It is filled with oxygen, nitrogen and a number of other elements. If the
structure of an atom consists of a nucleus of protons and neutrons with a number of
electron rings surrounding the nucleus, what is between the nucleus and the electron rings
and between the electron rings themselves? What would that be called? Nothingness?
One other thought that has been crossing my mind applies Physics to an idea
about life after death. Acccording to the theory of the Energy of Conservation, energy
cannot just dissappear. It turns into some other form of energy. We have energy that
makes our bodies function, so when we die, where does that energy go? Could that
energy be a “soul?”
There are many other questions and so much more to learn. I hopefully will
continue my studies at graduate school and apply my knowledge to the goal of a
universal system of beliefs. Immanuel Kant’s “Categorical Imperative” seems like a
great idea, but why has it not caught on? It is probably because it does not have the same
“trendiness” as the evangelism of the “oh-so-fabulous” Billy Graham or Pat Robertson.
If I had the chance, I would take either of those men on in a debate. They must know that
they use “God” to brainwash uneducated people and in the process have had very
lucrative careers.
A capstone project idea might include research in some of these previously
mentioned areas. With the help of my advisors and the material learned in my present
and past classes, I will create a conceptualized capstone project that will hopefully
contribute to the seeking of a higher truth. This multidisciplinary study is the beginning
of a long and enlightening journey of questions that may never be answered, but the
attempt, by my will, can contribute to the universal body of knowledge that has already
been in progress for centuries upon centuries. Time will only tell what the future brings,
or rather, what I will bring to the future.