Just as Newton’s gravitational law unified observed phenomena in the heavens and the earth, the concept of natural selection in Darwin’s theory of evolution has shown potential applications in multiple fields. When Daniel Kahneman and others won the Nobel Prize in economics, economics could no longer ignore the psychological aspects of human beings, and behavioral economics was born. Knowledge of philosophy is necessary to debate the validity of scientific knowledge (philosophy of science), and evolutionary perspectives are essential to understand contemporary psychological phenomena (evolutionary psychology).

 Thus, the barriers standing in the world of knowledge are now being removed one by one, and the divisions between matter and spirit, biology and society, and the humanities and natural sciences are to break down. Considering this interdisciplinary trend, we introduce critical interdisciplinary research of a high scholarly standard, in order to realize “consilience”――the integration of science and humanities――, which is being developed around the world by scholars such as Steven Pinker. By doing so, we aim to achieve interdisciplinary development of the disciplines and enlighten the public at large with the power of scientific truth. Inspired by science, we would consider the reason to promote the happiness and prosperity of humanity.

Dr. Ryuta Ito, President