Opinion:
Consilienceology
Susumu TACHI*,**
*Keio University, 4-1-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama
**The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
Increasing fragmentation and specialization of knowledge with the rise of modern science and technology in the last two centuries have resulted in the loss of a sense of unity among sciences and technologies, which hinders the total understanding of the universe, humans, and society. Optimal design of highly complex artifact systems can only be possible through the unified use of all kinds of relevant knowledge and wisdom. Further, solving the complex problems that humans are now facing will require the integration of all sorts of knowledge and wisdom in a coherent manner. Thus, transdisciplinary unification is needed and its realization is greatly anticipated. However, even though the importance of consilience or unity of knowledge has become popular among communities, there is no standard method to unify the necessary knowledge. This article introduces studies on “chinotogo,” or the transdisciplinary unification of knowledge and wisdom at the Science Council of Japan and “chinotogogaku” or “consilienceology.” That is, the study on the methods of the transdisciplinary unification of knowledge and wisdom is discussed together with a proposal for a concrete trial method of transdisciplinary unification using a virtual universe consisting of knowledgebase,modeling, simulation, and virtual reality based realistic human interfaces connected by networks.
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