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The Arts Vs Science

There`s a good article in yesterday`s Guardian about the bias towards science over the arts in economic planning and in education (education in its crudest sense of course being the preparation of people for the labour market)


"Which is more important, science or the humanities? The right answer is not: what do you mean by important? The right answer is a question: Who is doing the asking?"


http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/mar/25/higher-education-arts-sciences-bias


I learned a new word from reading it: dirigisme - economic planning and control by the state. So now!


Our own Dept of Education and Science set out its stall with that named preference ( although now changed to `skills` as we know).


Also has anyone any thoughts on our new Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport? Where did the word `Arts` go and why?  Minister Hanafin`s been talking about linking "our culture, our creativity and technology" into a "firm product". 


Is our cultural identity a product? What about quality of life and of creative expression for all our citizens and our right to cultural access?


I think I hear legions of dead Irish artists whirring in their graves...


 

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