Back to Blogs

When Rain Man replaces ibn Rochd

We often forget that there was a time when great thinkers were simultaneously philosophers, theologians, doctors, astronomers, and mathematicians. At that time, not only was this plurality of knowledge not a problem, but it was seen as proof of the genius of scholars. Whether it was Da Vinci, Ibn Sina (Avicenna), or Ibn Rochd (Averroes), knowledge was conceived as a whole that had to be approached from as many angles as possible.

The Shift Towards Specialization

As humanity progressed, the need for performance changed this conception:

  • Renaissance Era: The number of people who viewed knowledge as a value in itself increased dramatically.
  • Specialization’s Rise: The commodification of knowledge forced scholars to specialize in specific disciplines to improve immediate efficiency.

At first, the results were fantastic. Specialists focused intensely on single tasks, leading to dazzling advancements. However, this logic led to hyper-specialists who became disconnected from the broader world.

“The autistic disorder has become the ideal of excellence. In the days of magnificent Andalusia, people wanted to look like Ibn Rochd; today they want to look like Rain Man.”

The Problem of Disconnection

Modern hyper-specialization has created a world where individuals work in silos, disconnected from the bigger picture. This “autarky” blinds us and traps us in a vicious cycle:

  1. Obsessed with Solutions: Producing solutions without truly understanding the problem.
  2. Disconnected Processes: Prestigious research labs create tools without asking what problems they address.

This approach is like making hammers and then looking for nails to hammer in.

Consequences of Solution-Driven Approaches

The production of solutions without problematization leads to:

  • Ineffective Results: Solutions are unlikely to address the actual problem.
  • Misaligned Energy: The focus shifts to forcing solutions onto unrelated problems, consuming valuable resources.

The Need for Problematization

There can be no meaningful solutions without efficient problematization. Problematization is a combination of:

  • Literary Talent: The ability to intelligently outline a problem.
  • Technical Expertise: The knowledge to craft solutions.

For scientists, stepping out of their technical comfort zones to combine these skills is often a colossal challenge.

A Call for Literary and Artistic Communities

This is why the future of fields like data science may depend on literary and artistic skills to shape meaningful questions. Will the literary and artistic communities trapped in similar mechanisms take on this challenge?

Let us hope so.