Why science?

The Past:
1. All scholars read everything: Tao, Confucius, Art of War, ... etc
2. Go for regional exams.
3. Go for Imperial exams: Only one question, normally about the social or economic problem. Scholar write a essay as much as they need.
4. Bullseye and get an official position. Start working!

Today:
1. Scholars read only one subject: Engineer, or Law, or etc.
2. Go for subject and psychometric exams. Graded by percentile.
3. Get on board an MNC, specialize in one position, learn everything frantically, fighting to be high exec/CEO.

I wonder what's wrong with a one question exam, if that question is really important to us? Little wonder why no one really care about global issue anymore. To me, Lawyers, Engineers, Doctors, etc are all tradesmen, individually they have little bearing on the outcome of a state. Where is the system to cultivate the true scholars and gentlemen of the past?