During his visit to the Royal Society, Higgins called for greater integration between science and philosophy. He stated: "Greater dialogue between separate disciplines can create more positive engagement regarding the complex challenges facing humanity."
Higgins believes that the contributions of Ireland in the natural world may have been overshadowed by its achievements in art and literature. There is a need for a better understanding of the role that scientific knowledge plays in shaping our relationship with the world. Furthermore, the humanities are of great significance in understanding the nature of human consciousness. Current scientific development is rapid, and the application of technology has reached an unprecedented intensity, leading to many ethical issues. Regarding climate change, this is not just a matter for scholars, experts, and technologists; the public should also be widely involved. The UK and Ireland should strengthen dialogue between different disciplines.