The Art of Being Human Week One, Chapter One Slide 2 Human? What
does it mean to be human and what are the humanities? Slide 3 Think
about your life without the Humanities How often do you listen to
music? How often do you watch storiesTV and Movies? How often do
you take pictures, look at pictures, hang pictures, change them on
your desktop, etc. How often do you create something? Slide 4
Defining Humanities Study of classical art, literature, and
philosophy Belief was that the only way to be fully human was to
study these and be well- rounded or a Renaissance Man/Woman Slide 5
Humanities Also, the humanities are the creative and intellectual
expressions of each of us in moments of inspiration. Major aim of
this class is to show how studying the humanities can be a journey
into self-knowledge. Slide 6 Another definition: Dictionary
Definition: The branches of learning (such as philosophy or
languages) that investigate human constructs and concerns, as
opposed to natural processes. But what does that mean? The
humanities, such as classical and modern languages, literature,
history, and philosophy, have the overall goal of the exploration
and explanation of human experience. Some would include the fine
arts (music, art, dance, and drama) in the humanities, but others
view the arts as a separate category. (We include the
interpretation of the fine arts in this course). In most
disciplines in the humanities, written texts are extremely
important, especially in history, philosophy, and literature.
Historians attempt a systematic documentation and analysis of
events related to a particular people, country, or period. Literary
authors and artists attempt to capture for others their own human
experiences and understanding of the world. The humanities involve
inquiry into consciousness, values, ideas, and ideals as they seek
to describe how experiences shape our understanding of the world.
Slide 7 Open-Mindedness What does it mean to be open minded?
Musicwould you give classical a try? Artwould you go to a museum
and look at art? Ideaswould you consider an idea you had been dead
set against? Slide 8 No money needed The text says that no money is
needed to enjoy the humanitiesbut I wonder if you live in a 3 rd
world countrycan you enjoy the humanities free? How true is it that
no money is needed? Critical Thinking, Open-mindedness, and
Appreciation of Beauty Slide 9 Dan Ariely: What makes us feel good
about our work? What makes people feel good about work? You might
be surprised. Hear what Dan Ariely says about work. Slide 10 Ariely
Continued What is Arielys main point and how does it apply to
Humanities? Slide 11 First Step to appreciate the humanities:
NOTICE!!!! Why is the movie sooooo good?? Why is the song so
incredible??? What is it about the picture or the canvas that makes
you want to hang it on the wall of your apartment or house? Slide
12 What do Humanities ask us to appreciate? Beauty Beautiful
Movement Language Ideas Deep sense of the past Slide 13 Infinite
Person Strive to become an Infinite Person An Infinite person is
ALWAYS learningnever stop! A person of the broadest possible
learning and widely diverse range of interests and achievements.
Slide 14 Infinite Person Commits no crimes against humanity Free of
rigid prejudices and never works consciously to restrict others
from exercising their right to assemble, speak openly, practice
religion, and follow their own preferences as long as they dont
infringe on the freedom of others. Looks at ALL sides, reserves
judgment and recognizes that no judgment is final. Slide 15
Leonardo da vinci 1492 - 1519 scientist, mathematician, engineer,
inventor, anatomist, painter, sculpor, architect, botanist,
musician and writer. Slide 16 Da Vinci continued Illegitimate son
of a notary and a peasant girl, born in Florence Italy. click
picture Slide 17 da Vinci Conceptualized a helicopter, tank, solar
power, calculator, Advanced the study of anatomy, civil
engineering, optices, and hydrodynamics Slide 18 Key Terms
aesthetic beauty discipline humanism humanities Renaissance Man
Slide 19 Philosophic Discussion Leakey Foundation What does it mean
to be Human? What does it mean to be Human? (Brainpickings video)
Funding scientific studies important Why do we love art, music,
stories? How are we different from animals? Slide 20 The Uniqueness
of humans Robert Sapolsky: fascinating and funny look at human
behavior which the rest of the animal kingdom would consider
bizarre. http://www.ted.com/talks/robert_sap
olsky_the_uniqueness_of_humans.html Start around 12 minutes Slide
21 Maslows Hierarchy Slide 22 How do the humanities factor in to
Maslows Hierarchy? Slide 23 Written Assignment Option Instead of
the writing assignment for week one on choosing a quote, Id like to
give you an option: Watch a movie that has won awards, but one that
you havent seen because it seemed too artsy fartsy, or it just
didnt seem like something you would enjoy. Write about what the
experience was like. I suggest a film called, Life is Beautiful. It
is an Italian film with a great twist at the end! Yes, it has
subtitlestry something new!!! There is so much you havent seenwhat
are you missing. Please email me with the film that you would like
to watch if you arent choosing Life is Beautifulit should be an
award winnerinclude the title and the awards and the year it came
out.
