Letter: People do not thrive by STEM alone

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Bravo to Don Gale for his thought-provoking op-ed ("STEM education is good, but not good enough," May 10) reminding us that — like plants — education, economies and people cannot thrive by STEM alone.

The humanities are essential to our everyday lives because they help us to understand the human experience over time and across cultures, make well-informed and ethical decisions and plan wisely for the future we want our children and grandchildren to enjoy.

Lifelong engagement in the humanities enriches our lives and empowers us to improve our communities. A wide-ranging education is the best way, as Gale said, to ensure that "the inevitable progress of science [has] maximum value for our species."

Cynthia BuckinghamExecutive DirectorUtah Humanaties Council

Salt Lake City