and criticism is about the impossibility of its own existence.

This is not a scientific paper. What follows is an analysis of the current state of affairs in an intellectual and political discourse between science and literary studies. As such, there are no figures, no plots or diagrams, no formulae or data tables. Though not directly important to physics research, this subject is extraordinarily relevant to the field of physics, its residence in the greater world of academia, and its contribution to a system of knowledge that includes many other disciplines. The intention of this project is threefold: (1) to detail recent and ongoing discussions regarding the ideological separation between science and literary studies, (2) to explore whether such a separation is irreparable, and (3) to discuss the consequences of this separation. The conclusions presented are not only open to debate but welcome it wholeheartedly. Debates between the disciplines serve to enhance our unique philosophies and generate new ideas; such is the hope behind the following pages