One would think that after a few years of humanistic studies, like classic philology or whatsoever, a student should be open-minded and try to grasp at least the very basics of any kind of knowledge or science. After all, there are a lot of thing that constitute our cultural heritage, not only literature, architecture and other fine arts, but mathematics, physics, biology and chemistry as well.
Studying a humanistic specialisation myself, I got to know many people who passed their high school exams and hoped never to see maths or physics again. No more numbers and calculations, no formulas, no... logic? I would understand if it was just them not being really into the exact sciences, but what saddens me is that they see no use for any scientific method in their field. Which strikes me as a complete misunderstanding - not only are they (the exact sciences) present in everyday life and work of an average M.A., but in my opinion make a great exercise for, I don't know, thinking? Surprisingly, some of my friends who study maths or IT are very open for anything 'humanistic' and do not belittle it.
Terence would be disappointed, I'm afraid.
Sure, specialisation in any branch of knowledge has its cost and there is no way to be good in everything, yet the exact sciences should not by given up completely by anyone. It seems simply unhealthy. No way to keep a sharp mind when you're over 80 years if you do not play with maths or play chess. Or both.
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