Nanoconvergence: The Unity of Nanoscience, Biotechnology, Information Technology, and Cognitive Science

Chapter 6. Unification of Science

Science is becoming unified around a relatively small number of theoretical principles (such as conservation, indecision, configuration, interaction, variation, evolution, information, and cognition) and research methodologies (including new imaging technologies and computer simulation). To take advantage of unification, science and engineering education must be transformed, producing a new kind of field-spanning scientist, engineer, and technician. With cognitive science as a base, convergence will expand into the social sciences and humanities to an unknown extent, with unpredictable implications for humanistic values.

Creating Convergers

The idea that a new kind of scientist could be educated to work across ...