Art, Science and the University Today

Abstract

The terms art and science are well known, much used, less well understood. Contrary to popular belief, authoritative definitions of the two are not mutually exclusive although such definitions indicate that art has primary associations of skill, manipulation, and practice, while science is more often considered as related to systematic organization and the determination of immediate and specific frames of reference. Art seems more inductive and science more deductive; art appears more closely allied to matters of emotion and spirit while science has implications of systematic and logical reasoning. There are, of course, many refinements and semantic complexities, but for the present discussion we wish to note that our consideration of art is intentionally limited to the graphic and plastic arts, and science will refer primarily to the areas of the physical and biological studies of our colleges and universities which are today enjoying tremendous attention. It is this attention, almost to the exclusion of all else, and the effect that it has upon college and university art programs that we need to consider. The subject is of concern to all who are aware of the significance that the educational programs and philosophies of our institutions of higher learning have upon our society.