As a contribution to the current, #humanities debate, here's what Juan-Luis Vives, the Spanish humanist, thought of STEM-types 500 hundred years ago. (1/7) 
STEM is not suitable for "those who are suspicious, or who twist everything into the worst shape... Nor should those who are weak in religious convictions be introduced to this subject." (2/7)
He supports a common justification for STEM: "the contemplation of nature is unnecessary and even harmful unless it serves useful arts of life..." (3/7)
Also, echoing many of his contemporaries rather fewer of today's scientists, STEM is good because it "raises us from a knowledge of His works to a knowledge, admiration and love of the Author of these works." (4/7)
As for maths - "The mathematical sciences are particularly disciplinary to flighty and restless intellects which are inclined to slackness." Obviously. (5/7)
Vives is a good humanist so almost exclusively recommends classical texts. However, "the unlearned, silly and godless talk of the Arabian should not seriously studied." He's pretty critical of Aristotle too, having been force fed him at the University of Paris. (6/7)
Honestly, I think we're all just better off studying the humanities. Quotes from Vives, On Education (Cambridge, 1913) pp 166-7. (7/7) ia800204.us.archive.org/30/items/vives…
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