“Social sciences are among the main fields that make life worth living, and their role will become even stronger in the future.”
Professor Süleyman İnan of Pamukkale University stated this in his statement to Modern.az.
The professor, who is the author of the work “Ne Gerek Var Sosyal Bilimlere? İnsan ve Toplum Bilimleri Üzerine Sorgulamalar” (Why Do We Need Social Sciences? Inquiries into Human and Social Sciences), which resonated in Turkey, noted that despite the rapid development of artificial intelligence, human thought is still irreplaceable:
“Artificial intelligence is based on large data, and all that data is ultimately a human product. Human consciousness and intelligence, however, are unique and inimitable.”
According to him, the fact that some writers and artists have filed lawsuits in recent years regarding materials used without permission by artificial intelligence systems also shows the relevance of this issue.
The human soul has not yet been fully discovered
S. İnan emphasized that human intelligence and soul are an infinite field, and this field will never be fully discovered:
“That is why social sciences, which are related to humans and society, will never lose their relevance.”
The professor added that many universities in the world, especially under the influence of the US model, are increasingly starting to operate like “companies” and prioritize practical benefits. This has led to social sciences being pushed into the background.
Social sciences form not only knowledge but also skills
In his opinion, a change is taking place in the essence of social sciences in education:
“The main issue is no longer just providing information, but developing critical thinking and questioning abilities. In this way, knowledge turns into skill.”
S. İnan believes that concepts such as conscience, morality, identity, and self-awareness gain real meaning precisely through social sciences.
The key to a good life is social sciences
The professor also touched upon the importance of non-formal education, stating that even after school, people need social sciences to understand world and societal problems, find answers to existential questions, and comprehend art.
“Natural sciences make our living conditions easier – we build houses, we cure diseases. But social sciences make life worth living. They teach us to empathize, to think freely, to create stories. In other words, social sciences bestow upon us the culture of a ‘good life’.”
Finally, the professor noted that social sciences are not just an academic field, but a dynamic field of activity that continues throughout life.
