Natural sciences and social sciences have different roles in society. Professor Wening Udasmoro, Dean of the UGM Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), sees the task of social science and humanities throughout history to criticize the hegemony of technology during the inaugural lecture webinar for the 2021/2022 academic year. The webinar discussed ‘From Humanities to Social Engineering: A Critical Review of the Crisis of the Humanities in the Digital Age’ on Monday (16/8).
Prof. Wening explained that technology has many advantages beneficial for humans. But on the other hand, it causes problems as well.
The role of social sciences and humanities has been around since the 19th century, especially in the industrial revolution and capitalism. The technology we know was developing at that time, technology 1.0 (mechanization and steam engines), provided convenience. However, it also created social problems due to the establishment of factories: high rates of poverty, depression in the workforce, and suicide.
“There were issues of well-being, welfare, and happiness, fought for by social scientists and humanities at that time,” explained Wening.
Criticism of technological hegemony continued into the 20th century. In the 20th century, the social sciences and humanities reacted against the phenomenon of war and the presence of high-level war technology. Many social scientists and humanities have questioned “human existence” during these wars.
“Human prowess in creating war technology has been criticized for destroying humans themselves,” said Wening.
In the 21st century, human civilization enters the digital era. Wening said that in today’s digital era, it is necessary to realize that society is not homogeneous. There are groups that lack knowledge of technology. Wening explained that social science and humanities have a major contribution to defending these marginalized groups.
“People who lack knowledge on technology also need to be given space in economic policies so that they can survive poverty, although they don’t use a smart phone,” concluded Wening.
Source: https://www.ugm.ac.id/id/berita/21546-peran-ilmu-sosial-dan-humaniora
