Within the many existing disciplines, some are considered superior to others while others are seen as having no purpose at all. Moran argues in his chapter “Theory And The Disciplines” of his book, Interdisciplinarity, that some disciplines, such as the sciences, hold themselves highest above all others. Moran quotes Lacan as saying,
“Lacan here
seems to compare the discipline of Freudian psychoanalysis with
a religious cult, in which the various members profess their loyalty
to a founding father, and indeed, he likens his treatment
at the hand of the IPA to an excommunication.” (Page 91).
Moran quotes Lancan as saying that the discipline of Freudian psychoanalysis is basically its own little club that shuns anyone who does not go along with the group. Such people believe that those whom act or think differently are beneath them and will never contribute to society. People like this see other disciplines as holding no value and therefore a waste of time.
When I first started college, I was a biology major. However, I later had to change my major due to the difficulty of other non-biology courses I was required to complete. Since changing to an English major, I’ve heard friends and acquaintances question my decision to change majors on more than one occasion. However, I believe that English is a very necessary discipline and contributes its attributes to many other subjects. Without English, a scientist could not write up his thesis or his experimental observations. Without English, a diplomat would not be able to properly persuade a peace treaty between two warring nations.
The superiority complex that many of these people have, drives them to prove that they are better than everyone else. I’ve had a friend call my English major a “teachers subject”; as in, a subject whose only purpose is to be taught to future generations and nothing else. I disagree with this statement whole-heartedly and if I were to be given a specific reason why I If people could understand that they don’t need to put down others to hold themselves up, then maybe I’d see their point. Just because I’m not going to get a law or medical degree, does not make my English degree hold any less value. Aside from having my English major a “teachers subject”, I’ve been given no other reason to change majors again. There are plenty of job opportunities outside of teaching such as technical writer, editor, journalist, and blog manager just to name a few. So far I’m enjoying being an English major and I don’t see myself changing again any time soon.