Universities should require every student to take a variety of courses outside the student's field of study because acquiring knowledge of various academic disciplines is the best way to become truly educated

I would strongly agree with the speaker insofar as there is no boundary of sciences, and the world around us presents a seamless web of physical and anthropological forces, which interact in ways that could be understood only in the context of a variety of disciplines. However, as the assertion that knowledge of various academic disciplines is the best way to become truly educated, I hold different viewpoint with the speaker.

Undeniably important for students is acquiring knowledge of various academic disciplines, since no area of intellectual inquiry operates in vacuum. One example that aptly illustrates this statement involves the area of anthropology. Consider how an anthropologist’s knowledge about an ancient civilization is enhanced not only by the knowledge of the archeology which help unearth the evidence, but also by the knowledge of biochemistry, geology, linguistics, astronomy and so forth. The knowledge of biochemistry helps to analyze the hair, nail, blood, and bones of mummified bodies to determine the life expectancy, general well-being and common cause of the population; the knowledge of geology help identify the sources and ages of materials used for tools, weapons and structures—thereby enabling extrapolate the civilization economics, life style, the trade and work habit, extent of travel and mobility and so forth; the knowledge of astronomy help study the layout of a civilization as well as the design, structure and position of monuments, temples, and tombs—since the ancients always look to stars for guidance when building a city. Any lack of understanding of these specificities would lead to wrong decisions, and even misunderstanding of a civilization.

However, I don’t think that comprehension of various disciplines is the only best way to become well educated. In some certain intellectual inquires, it is the right focus on and devotion to one discipline that could dig the research deeper and touch the limit of knowledge. Einstein kept his quantum theory when facing up a world of doubt and finally proved its accuracy with the experiments of photoelectric effect. Copernicus never changed his mind to cater to the Pope and yet hold the theory that the sun is the center of the universe. These science giants didn’t know too much discipline which has little to do with their research, but, to the contrary, just devoted into certain disciplines and advance the knowledge of math, physics and astronomy. In the realm of science research, knowledge of different areas is unnecessary, while in the realm of engineering, business, or social science, the more command of knowledge and disciplines, the more adaptable and proficient a student is to his study and work in future. In addition, some special skills such lathe worker, carpenter, fitter and so forth, what they need is never various disciplines, but only one—practice and reply. It is the eternal truth for them.

In sum, I suppose that acquiring knowledge of different areas is essential and critical for a student to have a general and basic understanding of different knowledge upon which they could develop a more proficient command of their future career. However, I don’t support to extend this statement to embrace that it is the best way for study and good education. Every intellectual inquiry has its feature, any statement that attempts to enroll all fields in and make a general conclusion just beg the question.