Putting philosophy behind finance

Can the mathematical sciences teach us something about the human condition, and vice versa? This may appear counter-intuitive, but SHEN Zhuowen has discovered the interconnectivity between both.  

Before deciding on Double Majors in Statistics and Economics and a Minor in Philosophy, the Year 3 NUS Science student delved into different subjects - including psychology, geopolitics and history - in his pursuit of different ways of thinking to understand the world.

While the meandering journey was challenging, with much time spent on these courses, “it was well worth it,” he says.

Zhuowen, an aspiring fund manager, shares the insights gained from his interdisciplinary combination and their relevance to his career goals.

He says, “The fund management industry requires an understanding of the risks and uncertainty of the financial world” - foundations provided by his statistics major.

On the other hand, philosophy taught him to structure his thinking process. By developing his power to reason and examining the logic used to make decisions, Zhouwen says, “I can now look at problems from a broader perspective – not just technically, but from a societal and human point of view.”

Taking Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) courses has debunked his initial perceptions that scientific thinking is the only way to make sense of the world. The experience has changed his idealogy and led to a more nuanced understanding of what he will bring to his career in the future. 

“Fund management is about resource allocation, an essential function in markets,” he says. However, beyond this,  Zhouwen hopes to bring a more conscientious worldview by focusing on socially responsible investing and how his job can create value for society and humanity.