Grand Challenges lecture series ILAS 2016-2017 | Page 12

GRAND CHALLENGES
INTERPRETING THE LIBERAL
ARTS AND SCIENCES
TRADITION: THE GREATEST
CHALLENGE OF ALL?
CARL GOMBRICH
26 APRIL 2017 | 6.30PM-7.30PM KEELE HALL | THE SALVIN ROOM
In a “post truth” era, with a parallel instrumentalist emphasis
on the purpose of education, how can a contemporary
conception of liberal arts and sciences respect disciplinary
differences and differing notions of truth, while not giving
up on the idea altogether? How far should liberal educators
take “economic” considerations into account when
considering the value of higher education? And where
is the balance in contemporary programmes between
respecting historic tradition and prioritising radical
and progressive moves?
Carl Gombrich is Programme Director of UCL’s Arts and
Sciences BASc degree. He has degrees in Maths, Physics
and Philosophy and was a professional opera singer
before joining UCL in 2002. He taught physics and served
as Principal to UCL’s foundation course until 2010 before
leaving to develop and lead the launch of the new Arts
and Sciences BASc programme.
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how can a contemporary
conception of liberal arts
and sciences respect
different disciplinary
notions of truth?