I have a more nuanced view of humanities: some are more contemplative than the others. I do not think that philogists actively aim at changing language while historians do often hope that the studies of history would have effect on its unfolding ("the lessons of history"). Sociology certainly aims at perfecting of the society and literary criticism aims at improving literature. Biology is indeed beginning to reorient iteself towards improving on Nature. The physicists are in the very rear of this transformation: they are not yet considering the improvement of the Universe or making a new one as the end point of their science. In fairness, few chemists will admit that the end point of their science is surpassing Nature. The general idea is convincing the others that you are making something useful for people rather than entertaining cosmic ambitions...