The Problem with Ireland

An editorial from today's Irish Times by Professor Emeritus and former Dean of Engineering, John Kelly:

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2011/0702/1224299933120.html

The essay is interesting for its advocacy of Engineering and Science as contributors to the industry of Ireland and important to its return to profitability. Ireland is in a financial mess; there are a number of reasons for this, but the most damning is the fact the Irish Government nationalized bank debt. Prof. Kelly suggests funding Engineering and Science will contribute to the development of an Irish Industrial Complex. And, possibly a return to independent status. Of course, the current truth is that Ireland is a nation of tax evaders (head offices of international firms locate there because of its low corporate tax rate) and not really a country of critical thinkers. As advocated in numerous posts, critical thinkers are essential to the development of a robust economy and intelligentsia. Science is important for its thought as much as for its contributions to the economy; but, Art is important, too. Prof. Kelly offers stats that indicate Arts and Humanities Subjects get 7% of University funding in Ireland, presently. That could explain why Ireland nationalized its debt; its not like anyone stopped it from happening or even gave it a second thought. Compare Ireland to Greece. There are protesters angry with what the Government in Greece is doing; they are loud in their dissent, arguably irrelevant, but still present. The Irish seemed to just let their debt be nationalized; some were angry, but really most of the country seemed to just accept what was happening, not considering how it might affect the population and no consideration of other options of which I am aware. They were not an example of an astute populace; critical thinking is not an educational priority in Ireland; hence, there is more a "Me-First" attitude to the population where people who have jobs and security believe their privileged position somehow indistinct from the rest of the population.

Prof. Kelly suggests a way out for Ireland is through Science and Engineering. Maybe it is. But, while this sounds unrelated, Ireland is a growing population, currently 4 million people, as many as before the Great Famine in the 19th Century; only 4% of women breastfeed their children; in most other countries, even formula companies recognize the benefits of nursing. People who don't see the obvious are not really prepared for future shocks on any level. It doesn't bode well for the future. Ireland is no different than a number of African Countries (who by the way are trying to change their approach to child health). How are the two ideas related? At some point, a population of critical thinkers, educated in the Humanities and the Sciences, would assess the benefits of a certain tact on all the population rather than just a portion. Ireland is focused on the economy. Prof. Kelly is an advocate of one way of looking at the world, the economic one; however, the world is a place of many perspectives and too narrow a focus will, ultimately, lead, again, to the situation Ireland is currently experiencing. A broader based educational experience would enable various opinions on the economy and alternative methods of approaching a problem. Further, more people would assess ways to develop the greater good rather than just a single segment of society.