In the 21st century, convergence is blurring the boundaries between science, technology, and the humanities to create innovation. Convergent science, interdisciplinary science, and integration are enabling new paradigm shifts and will play a key role in future scientific revolutions.
Convergence, the path to the scientific revolution
The 21st century has been called the age of convergence. New disciplines are being created as a result of the ongoing interaction between different disciplines. Biochemistry, molecular biology, evolutionary medicine, and mechatronics are examples of interdisciplinary fields. These convergences are not only between natural sciences and engineering, but also between science and technology and the humanities, social sciences, and philosophy. For example, Seoul National University’s Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology seeks innovation through the convergence of multiple sciences and technologies, which is one example of the importance of convergence in modern academia.
However, the concept of convergence did not emerge in the modern era. As far back as the Renaissance, science, art, and philosophy were already closely linked. Leonardo da Vinci is a prime example of this, as he incorporated scientific studies such as anatomy, math, and mechanical engineering into his art to create a variety of innovative works. Scientists like Galileo Galilei also fused philosophy and science to create scientific paradigm shifts of his time. This means that the convergence we experience today is not just a product of modern technology, but an extension of a long history of academic exchange.
Modern companies are also in the midst of this convergence, demanding integrated talent who can bring creative perspectives to the company based on their diverse experiences and broad knowledge. Steve Jobs, a world-renowned entrepreneur, combined his philosophical knowledge of aesthetics and Buddhism with technology to create electronics that became a global phenomenon. He is a positive example of how modern convergence can lead to innovation.
What is convergence? Convergence is an important attempt to push the boundaries of a scientific field where progress has been limited by independent research, and to open up new directions. In this process, two or more scientific disciplines are combined to create an entirely new field. One of the successful examples of convergence is Prof. Hong’s book ‘ Science with a Human Face ‘. It examines the relationship between science and the humanities, art, architecture, gender, law, human rights, and more, and shows how science can create new value through this convergence.
Three forms of convergence science
Convergence science can be categorized into three main types. The first is interdisciplinary science. This refers to a technological approach where each discipline remains independent but is applied in parallel to reach a single goal. For example, in the development of self-driving cars, computer science, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering are applied as independent disciplines, but are combined to achieve a single goal: technological innovation. The second is interdisciplinary science. This is how different disciplines work together to push the boundaries of their respective fields and bring new perspectives to the table. The third is integrative. This is an integrative approach that encompasses the natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences and aims to connect knowledge.
Compared to the other two types of fusion, integration is broader in scope, breaking down the boundaries between disciplines and seeking full integration. For example, combining ecology, economics, political science, psychology, and more to solve environmental problems is a good example of integration. Let’s look at the perspectives of Thomas Kuhn and Karl Popper to see if this convergence can lead to a scientific revolution.
Convergence and paradigm shifts
In his book ‘ The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, Thomas Kuhn argued that a scientific revolution occurs when the existing paradigm can no longer explain natural phenomena. While convergent science offers the possibility of pointing out the limitations of existing science and technology and offering new perspectives, it can be difficult to create a complete paradigm shift when each field remains independent. For example, simply combining physics and chemistry in the process of discovering anomalies in quantum mechanics does not lead to a paradigm shift. A paradigm shift is only possible when the two disciplines truly interact to provide a new perspective.
The role of interdisciplinary science and synthesis
On the other hand, interdisciplinary science and integration may be a more suitable form of convergence for paradigm shifts. In particular, interdisciplinarity offers the possibility of fully integrating different disciplines to create a new paradigm. It may be questioned whether convergence with the humanities and social sciences can act as science, but if science can interpret natural and human phenomena in a new light without relying solely on disprovability, it can be the basis for a scientific revolution.
The Future of Convergence and the Scientific Revolution
In the future, convergence will be an important catalyst for the scientific revolution. In particular, the convergence of artificial intelligence and quantum computing technology has great potential. When the computational power of quantum computers and the learning power of AI are combined, we will gain a level of problem-solving capability that we have never imagined before. This is more than just a combination of two technologies, it could lead to a scientific revolution that creates a new paradigm.
In addition, complex problems such as environmental issues and social inequality can no longer be solved by research in a single field, making the convergence of various fields even more essential. Convergence becomes more than just a tool, it becomes a key methodology for creating innovative solutions.
Conclusion
In this essay, we have discussed the concept of convergence and its role. Convergence has the potential to lead to a scientific revolution by breaking down the boundaries between existing disciplines and providing new perspectives. In particular, the complete convergence of disciplines, such as synthesis, can create new paradigms, which will contribute significantly to the advancement of science. Convergence is a virtue that modern intellectuals must possess, and it will play an important role in science and society as a whole. It is expected that interdisciplinary approaches will contribute to solving various problems and creating new innovations.
