Do STEM Majors Have a Superiority Complex?

The Question of Course Difficulty Between the Arts and Science

Do you think that STEM majors have a superiority complex? The answer to this question will be different depending on who you ask. Since I am a science major myself, I think that I have the right to say yes; a lot of us do. This idea of STEM majors being superior stems from the belief that STEM subjects are more difficult and also more important than humanities, arts and social sciences. But the question is: is this really true? 

I think that for the most part, the answer is no. STEM majors are not more important than non-STEM majors. Imagine what would happen if there were no more artists, lawyers, journalists, politicians and social workers. This would lead to many problems. Of course, this world would not function without STEM majors either. Therefore, I believe that STEM and non-STEM majors are of equal importance. When it comes to the difficulty part of the argument, I would say that it depends on what subjects we are talking about. 

I don’t think that anyone would tell you that organic chemistry and physics are not difficult. Organic chemistry was definitely the hardest course I have taken at St. Lawrence University. However, I would not say that every STEM class that I have taken was inherently difficult or that every non-STEM class that I have taken was inherently easy. Additionally, the difficulty level of a class is fairly subjective. A class will be easy for one person but difficult for another. There’s a reason why I am more comfortable with a science course than I am with a philosophy course. 

Not every STEM major has a superiority complex; however, a decent number of them do. But the truth is hard-working, intelligent people can be found in every major, and this is something that some STEM majors do not acknowledge. Another flaw with the argument that STEM majors are inherently better than other majors is that the argument is based on the premise that you are either a STEM student or a non-STEM student. But not everyone belongs in one of these categories. What if someone double majored in Biology and English? Would they be a STEM student or a non-STEM student? We need to acknowledge that it’s possible for someone to like STEM and non-STEM subjects equally. 

This idea that you have to be one or the other, and that one is inherently superior to the other, creates an unnecessary division between SLU students. Because in the real world, they complement one another. There are lawyers who do patent law and medical professionals who influence legal policy. It is important to acknowledge the unique perspective and contribution of each major because, in reality, society must rely on all disciplines to function properly.