Abstract

The world's most serious problems involve people's inability to peacefully coexist with other people. The only antidote to prejudice, injustice, murder, and terrorism is to develop an understanding of the many different patterns of human life. However, western civilization and its educational systems have developed into fragmented forms, resulting in numerous unrelated disciplines that disregard an overall perspective and do not promote the solution of multifaceted problems. This book proposes the unification of all knowledge and offers ideas for educational systems that consider human problems and prepare persons to live in a complex world. The benefits of interdisciplinary education include the fostering of human understanding, the seeking of mutual efforts toward solutions for human and social problems, and prevention of war. Factors involved in establishing successful interdisciplinary education programs include: (1) positive attitudes; (2) their emphasis and use by instructors; and (3) growth in the number of interdepartmental university seminars, programs, and research efforts. Appendices include information concerning the history, role, and interdependence of humanities, the social sciences, sciences, and ethics. (JHP)