TU 110 Integrated HumanitiesIntroduction

Ask yourself these questions…

1. Who am I?2. What religious or moral beliefs do I

really hold? 3. What are my goals in life? 4. Are human beings really good or evil? 5. Is equality possible? 6. What is beauty? 7. What is love?

Studying humanities will not directly answer these questions…

…but it will bring you into contact with people who have tried to answer them…

…we can analyze, judge and criticize their thoughts.

Are those questions relevant in today’s society?

Discuss

1. What are humanities?

2. What is the purpose of studying humanities?

3. What challenges do the humanities as an academic field face?

4. How to study this course?

Outline1. Development of the humanities2. What are humanities?3. What is the purpose of studying

humanities?

1. Development of the Humanities

As an area of academic study – the ‘Humanities’ began in Italy @ 500 yrs ago (c16th) – ‘Renaissance period’ (rebirth)

Renaissance thinkers viewed humans & human behavior as a product of the past (history) and therefore determined to study the past – especially human achievements in the great civilizations of the past

Academic study previously dominated by theology‘ the study of religious faith, practice, and experie

nce; especially : the study of God and of God's rel ation to the world’ (Merriam Webster)

Academics studying this field were called ‘humanists’ and their main concern was ‘humanism’:

Definitions of ‘Humanism’:

a) devotion to the humanities : literary culture : the revival of classical letters, individualistic and critical spirit, and emphasis on secular concerns characteristic of the Renaissance

b) a doctrine, attitude, or way of life centered on human interests or values; especially : a philosophy that usually rejects

supernaturalism and stresses an individual's dignity and worth and capacity for self-realization through reason

This represented a fundamental change in the focus of academic study and as a result presented a huge challenge to the influence and position of the Catholic Church in Europe

Was the church happy?

The Roman Inquisition (1542 – 1860)

Purpose of the Inquisition: Defend the faith Examine errors and false doctrines

Other religionsScientistsHumanists

1. Trial

2. Torture

3. Death

The Roman Inquisition though was just the last in a number of different Inquisitions:

the Medieval Inquisition (1184–1230s)the Spanish Inquisition (1478–1834)the Portuguese Inquisition (1536–1821)the Roman Inquisition (1542 – c. 1860 )

Some estimates suggest that over the 600 years of the Inquisitions over 50 million people were killed!!!!

So…what was it that ‘Humanists’ were studying that could provoke such a violent reaction?

2. What are the Humanities?

‘The branches of learning that investigate human constructs and concerns as opposed to natural processes and social relations’ (Merriam-Webster)

Human constructs and concerns…?

Being a ’humanist’ means having an interest in everything ‘human’…?

Humanities vs. Social SciencesClosely related as they both deal with human

culture…but:

Humanities – concerned with how humans express their spiritually, emotions, feelings – WHAT?

Social sciences – concerned with the cultural factors that determine patterns of human behavior - HOW & WHY?

The following subjects fall under the umbrella of the ‘Humanities’:

‘subjects of study such as literature, history, or art, rather than science or mathematics’ (Longman)

‘the study of subjects such as literature, language, history and philosophy’ (Cambridge)

‘history, philosophy, languages, linguistics, literature, archeology, jurisprudence, history and criticism of the arts, ethics, comparative religion…political theory, international relations…and other subjects…’ (National Endowment for the Humanities)

These can be studied individually or as…..

‘Integrated Humanities’

Field of ‘Humanities’is too large to be studied subject by subject

Inter-disciplinary approach stresses their relationships –gives greater understanding of the whole culture rather than expert view of one small part

Better to see a big picture – each form sheds light upon another art form

Study of humanities needs to be done in a historical context if they are to be understood

Paradox of Humanities

a deep respect for tradition – study of ancient civilizations

BUT..

also use the knowledge to challenge existing authority

3. What is the purpose of studying the Humanities?

A good question and many argue that that is no point, or even that the study of Humanities is dangerous

Even in the present day, the study of humanities faces stern challenges from 3 main sources:

a. Science and technologyb. Religionc. Challenge to Western tradition

a) Science & technological

Ability to manipulate nature Science/computing the focus of modern

education University enrolments shrinking

proportionately Profit!

“With all the money that we are throwing away on humanities and art - give me that money and I will build you a better student.“

- Marvin Minsky (Artificial Intelligence specialist ):

A wealth of modern literature exists telling us why we should study the humanities:

e.g.Harold Bloom, How to Read and Why (2001),Hans Ulrich Gumbrecht, Production of Presence

(2004), Frank B. Farrell, Why Does Literature Matter?

(2004), John Carey, What Good Are the Arts? (2006), Lisa Zunshine, Why We Read Fiction (2006), Alexander Nehamas, Only A Promise Of

Happiness (2007), Rita Felski, Uses of Literature (2008).

Humanists have had to devote much of their time to defending and justifying their field of study, rather than actually studying it.

b. Religious groups

Some still see humanists as atheists who manipulate the education system to destroy religion – for example:

“Humanism- a philosophy that overemphasizes the dignity and worth of man, basically man is basically good, and getting better all the time i.e. the Industrial Revolution, Enlightenment etc. Through reason, and logic man will constantly improve until he ushers in utopia. Satan has used this philosophy to send millions to hell, for if man is basically good he surely doesn’t need a God to interfere.”

(from http://thejourney.baptistblogs.com/2 009/06/17/satans-demonic-hiearchial-millitiary-power-structure-part-2/)

c. Challenge to Western tradition

Humanities evolved in Europe and has therefore traditionally represented European beliefs about the world.

Post colonial assertion of power by other civilizations – Indian, Chinese, African, Arab - opened up many new spheres

• argument of irrelevance of traditional humanities• euro-centrism of traditional humanities• too big for any one person/culture to master

So…if those are the arguments against studying Humanities – what are some of the arguments for studying the Humanities:

Educate us about the past

Understand the present

Become ‘more human’ – gave better creative thinking & analytical thinking but also a deeper understanding of people

Guide the present towards a better & more moral future

Current trends in the scientific understanding of human beings are calling the basic category of "the human" into question

Or can we just justify it on the grounds of being:

a unique kind of pleasure, a pleasure based on

the common pursuit of knowledge,

does not discriminate on social status,

celebration of human achievement

it challenges authority

it can solve modern problems

it can make us happier.