It is wonderful that science is helping to broach these philosophical questions. We are fortunate to live in a time where questions of humanity are so freely and continually discussed, and the inclusion of factual evidence as brought about by the scientific community can help us progress towards a better understanding of humanity. Science was the one who said that skin color was simply the amount of melanin contained in an individuals skin and had no bearing on any other mental or physical traits. Science told us that there were no differences in male and female brains. The addition of scientific fact has moved forward our understanding of the human condition since it's beginnings. I think the two should continue to work together.

This question is another that brings about the importance of language and deeply considering the definitions of words and their implications. When we talk about reality, what are we really talking about? What may be physically present and "real" for one person, may not necessarily be as "real" for the next person. This is especially true given as there are things that we believe are physically real and yet we have no quantifiable way of measuring them, like dark matter, or emotions. In areas such as this I believe it is even more important for both sides to come together and share perspectives and learn from one another. In the end, more knowledge and understanding, a broader perspective, can only be a good thing.

The split in the two "cultures" becomes quite evident when you observe the differences in language used. This is something that I have noticed firsthand in several science classes that I have taken. The implications of word usage differs based on the subject you are taking. Where someone well versed in English and rhetoric may read a phrase in one way, someone in the STEM fields may read the same phrase and see a different meaning. I think this makes it all the more evident that it is important to have an educational background that touches at least briefly in all areas.