Art and science are both essential skill sets that humans need when problem solving. Both subjects have their own pieces of knowledge that you can learn from and use in the future. In Pinker’s essay relating to the importance of science he says “this humanism, which is inextricable from a scientific understanding of the world, is becoming the defacto morality of modern democracies, international organization, and liberalizing religions, and its unfulfilled promises define the moral imperatives we face today” (Pinker). Pinker uses this quote to end his article. Its a good conclusion statement that wraps the ideas of his paper into one sentence. Pinker believes that humanism or caring about the outcome of the human species requires both scientific reasoning and creative thinking to be fully understood. This idea of science is required for humanism is also translated in Yo Yo Mas essay about the sciences and art, he says “the humanities must sincerely engage with the sciences” (Ma). This idea shows the importance of science to all things related to humans, even the creative side. Science and art work together to form so many social constructs that humans use today still. Creative and critical thinking should be learned from the arts and sciences giving humans the needs to fight for their survival and live a successful life.

 

How does science and art affect problem solving in humans. Important questions to ponder are the ones not solved yet. There seems to be an unlimited amount of information ready to be digested in this world and many problems to still solve. When solving an unknown you cannot use regular learning strategies understand it fully. When Pinker is referring to questions not answered he says “In which ways does , then, does science illuminate human affairs? Let me start with the most ambitious: the deepest questions about who we are,  where we came from, and how we define the meaning and purpose of our lives”. (Pinker) These ideas relate more to creative thinking and need out of the box thinking methods to understand let alone answer. But to be a great thinker the common questions that everyone asks must be pondered by yourself.  Leonardo da Vinci was a great thinker who used his creative thinking from his painting, and critical thinking skill from inventing. This created a strong problem solving brain that could ponder an unknown and make the unknown known. Da Vinci used his science knowledge to be years ahead of other inventors in his time period. Da Vinci will forever be revered as a great thinker because of how powerful his ability to was.