Text/Jiupai News Special Commentator Wu Lichuan

The battle between arts and sciences is an endless topic. Recently, the news that Fudan University will significantly reduce the proportion of liberal arts enrollment has caused heated discussions on the whole network.

According to the plan, Fudan University will adjust the undergraduate enrollment structure to 30% each of arts, science, medicine, engineering and interdisciplinary disciplines, and the proportion of liberal arts enrollment will be increased from the original 0%～20% plummeted to 0%. This reform has sparked widespread controversy: "Has the liberal arts been abandoned by the times?" "Where is the way out for liberal arts students?"

Some people believe that this is an indisputable fact of the decline of the liberal arts. Some people also exclaimed that even well-known and old liberal arts universities such as Chinese University have set their sights on the three major directions of "basic discipline support", "cutting-edge interdisciplinary construction" and "strategic continued field breakthrough", reducing the direction of liberal arts and sciences.

The more this time, the more we must look at the controversy between the arts and sciences calmly, and the more we must look at the development and changes of the liberal arts rationally, so as to maintain the confidence we deserve.

Specifically, the new policies of Fudan and other schools are based on the structural optimization of students' needs and employment needs. It is understandable that the setting of liberal arts and sciences should be adapted to the needs of society.

Liberal arts are not being "underestimated" only today. Decades ago, the subtext of "the mathematization of academic societies, not afraid of anything" sharply scratched the ears of "liberal arts people". In the eyes of many people, only by choosing science can they be successful and more brilliant in society. When I was in high school, I chose the liberal arts mainly because I loved writing and hoped to pursue a career in the liberal arts such as journalist and writer in the future. This ideal has given back to me to this day. Although there is a lack of "money" in the media industry from an economic point of view, it is possible for those who have a clear understanding of their career planning and have always drawn a sense of gain from their professional experience. Of course, this is not the same thing as the "liberal arts people" who want the liberal arts to be more valued by society.

Jin Li, president of Fudan University, said in an interview: Liberal arts are very important, and in a mature society, liberal arts are more important than science. In my personal opinion, it is not necessary to let the arts and sciences divide the winners and losers. To put it bluntly, always comparing the advantages and disadvantages of liberal arts and sciences is not only a misunderstanding, but also a senseless annoyance for yourself. The classification of liberal arts and sciences is a science. There is no absolute superiority or inferiority, good or bad, liberal arts and sciences have their own value, and it is the attitude that should be taken to value and support each other.

At a time when liberal arts are frequently ridiculed, there is no need to artificially put liberal arts above science in order to maintain the dignity of liberal arts. Rather, it is necessary to recognize the importance of liberal arts realistically, and dispel misinterpretations and stigma. On this issue, the "liberal arts people" themselves must first be able to have a fair and just understanding of the liberal arts and establish their due confidence.

To this day, the liberal arts have not been "defeated" and have not been abandoned by the times. The development of AI is very fast, and the results are also very impressive. But recently, many people have also been amused by the AI's opening mouth and nonsense at certain moments. This further proves that it is difficult for AI to "represent" human thoughts and feelings.

The power of science and technology proves the power of science. It's a fact. However, it should be noted that "science and technology for good", as an extremely important concept and goal, is actually more about the temperature and connotation of a society. And the gaps in this process need more "liberal arts intelligence" to fill. As for literary works, songs, dances, and paintings that cannot be directly transformed into productive forces...... It is also irreplaceable to nourish the hearts of the people of the world and promote social development.