Editors’ panel discussion
SFC's interdisciplinary nature
Kamo: Thank you very much. Listening to all your comments, I feel relieved that you have somewhat accepted the concept of reality as a relevant point of discussion. Is there anyone who would like to add something? If not, I would like to open the floor to comments and questions.
Ushiyama: Hello. I am Ushiyama, and I teach at the Faculty of Environment and Information Studies. In the discussion, the subject of humans was brought up a couple of times. I myself am in human sciences, focusing on the brain and movement. When thinking about reality as it relates to policy management, I see the potential for policy management to further evolve if it incorporates the essence of findings in human sciences more than it does now. In other words, I feel the need for our research in human sciences to have a greater influence on the professors in policy management.
The reason I say this is because we ourselves are not aware of a large portion of the actions we take as humans. Earlier, the topic of language research was touched upon, and I would like to comment that there are actually many things in our behavior that we are unaware of and cannot be explained by words. Policies can be improved if they are made with a greater understanding of this human characteristic that is at the unconscious level. I hope we will be able to convey our knowledge of the workings of the human mind to the professors in policy management.
Shimizu: One of the outstanding features of SFC is that students are sometimes the catalyst for collaborations between faculty members. For example, I had a student say to me, "You should take a closer look at human behavior. Why don't you work with Professor Ushiyama?" Faculty members have their separate offices, so we do not come across each other easily. However, students following their interests are active in a wide variety of areas, so they are able to say, "What you are saying, professor, is very similar to that other professor," or "I think it would be great if you work together." Numerous research collaborations began this way, mine included. I feel this campus is blessed in this way.
Kotosaka: It is exactly as you say. There may be a problem in business studies, and we find out that our fellow faculty members in the Faculty of Environment and Information Studies already have a hint to the solution. We have experts from all areas. If we talk to them, we can find out what the leader in that field is thinking. Conversely, we can make suggestions to these leading experts to make the future a certain way.
Wada: On the subject of education, I am in economics and have two seminars. In one of them, we are doing something similar to methodology. I am often asked what we do at SFC since there is already a Faculty of Economics at the Mita Campus. SFC students who are strong in coding and who can create programming source code, have an advantage when they go to graduate school or out into the working world. Many people have studied economics, but among those, there are very few who are also well-versed in methodology, can handle implementation, including advanced coding, and can perform analysis. But at SFC, there are usually a couple of students each year that fit this description. Since SFC has both policy management and environment and information studies, we can offer students opportunities not available in other economics programs. This is certainly one of our strengths.
Kotosaka: If I can add one more thing, I see SFC as the world's best liberal arts college plus research institute. For example, in the United States, going to a liberal arts college instead of a major university is a solid option. When comparing the education at such liberal arts colleges to that of SFC, there is no doubt in my mind that SFC offers a better education. In addition, all the faculty members here are at the forefront of their research fields and present their work outside of the university.
Kamo: That was very flattering [laughing]. As the dean, it makes me happy, and at the same time, I feel much responsibility. Is there anyone else who would like to comment?
Learning that gives a new perspective to society
Iba: My name is Iba, and I teach in the Faculty of Policy Management. For the book project, I contributed a chapter to Volume 5, "Methodological Approaches in Policy Management Studies."
I really like the word "reality" because it has two nuances. One is reality, or what is actually occurring. The other is realism. As an example, how should humans fight against aliens from outer space? This is not happening in reality, but when we watch a movie and feel something like "the American government would do such a thing" or "parents would do such a thing to protect their children," we think the movie is realistic. I find it very interesting that both of these nuances are contained in one word.
I graduated from the Faculty of Environment and Information Studies but am now teaching in the Faculty of Policy Management. I originally wanted to become a film director. Until halfway through college, I was aiming to become a video creator. From there, I stepped into the world of research. My own career has such a duality, so that may explain why I am fascinated by the duality of reality.
For example, when academia deals with reality, the actual problem arises in the field and there is someone taking action on the ground. I respect those people and the work they do. At the same time, as mentioned earlier, there are times when problems cannot be resolved, there are not enough ideas, or perspectives are too narrow. We can gain new perspectives from academics, or from the world of expressions such as art, or the fictional world of film and novels.
I have a series of books called Reality+. It is made up of dialogues with the concept of "reality+ ...," adding something in order to gain a slightly different perspective of society. I made this series with the intent that academics could take some kind of role in being the "+..." part, the something added. So, I am often asked by students about real issues that have arisen, "Why don't you just go to where the problem is and solve it yourself?" Of course, that is one valid way of solving a problem, but I feel taking a step back and using a different thought process or theory to propose a different perspective or solution is closer to learning in the spirit of jitsugaku.
As for the "..." part of "reality+...," SFC has developed a great amount and is working on how to change reality. What has been the intention of my series is exactly how the first four volumes of the book project unfold, with developments in each of the areas. And in Volume 5, we examine how slightly "meta" methods and thought will contribute to society and humans, and discuss how we will develop these "..." elements. I think it would be interesting to have a panel discussion focusing on Volume 5. I am eagerly waiting for this book series to be published and out in the world, and I hope everyone will have a chance to read it.