Why Study Humanities?
An effective humanities education develops our knowledge of human societies and cultures over space and time, expanding our worldviews and equipping us with critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to build a better future.
WHAT ARE THE HUMANITIES?
‘The Humanities’ typically refers to those subjects which serve to expand our knowledge of human cultures, and therefore help us understand what makes us human: history, English language and literature, foreign languages (ancient and modern), philosophy and religious studies. Although there are niche elements worth attributing to each of these subjects, the main aim of studying any humanities subject is to open up our minds to diverse ideas from around the world, past and present.
The humanities are often linked with the social sciences (geography, anthropology, politics and sociology) since these subjects also study human beings, cultures and societies across space and through time. However, whereas the social sciences have an objective approach based on ‘scientific’ research and methods, the humanities have a subjective approach, thus requiring the development and application of sophisticated critical thinking skills.
Despite ongoing debates regarding the ‘usefulness’ of humanities subjects, they have always been (and will continue to be) the basis of human culture and society. Different schools, colleges and universities put a different emphasis on the humanities depending on their own specialisms, but it’s unquestionable that a world without the study of history, languages or philosophies would be a derivative and disoriented one.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF STUDYING HUMANITIES?
Many historians, writers, politicians and even celebrities have tried to communicate the importance of the humanities subjects in recent years. George Lucas, director of the Star Wars franchise, famously stated: ‘The sciences are the ‘how’, and the humanities are the ‘why’ – why are we here, why do we believe in the things we believe in. I don’t think you can have the ‘how’ without the ‘why’.
If we want to understand why our world is the way that it is, why we have so many different cultural traditions across the world and why humans act differently depending on the society in which they live, then we must appreciate the insight that humanities subjects can give us.
Despite recent efforts to defund college and university departments across the world, there are thankfully still many major proponents of the humanities. Famously, cultural critic Henry Giroux has criticised the US government’s efforts to ‘downsize, privatise and commodify’ the humanities, claiming that an emphasis on science and rationality over social, political and historical forces is failing our young people.
In a world where personal and social responsibilities are unavoidable (especially considering the recent pandemic and it’s social and economic aftermath across the globe) it’s undeniable that humanities subjects provide us with a sense of identity and citizenship; learning about past and present societies and cultures gives us an understanding of the complex processes and diverse experiences that have shaped the world we live in today.
As an historian and history teacher myself, it has always been clear to me that an effective humanities education provides us with a solid foundation for making sense of the world and our place within it. Without that understanding, we cannot expect young people to develop their own voices and share their perspectives and experiences in a way that will allow us to create a better future. As American industrialist and civil rights activist Joseph Irwin Miller said: ‘The calling of the humanities is to make us truly human in the best sense of the word.’
WHERE CAN HUMANITIES STUDIES TAKE YOU?
Currently in the UK there is a motion to ‘crack down’ on what the government thinks are ‘rip-off university degrees’. In June 2023 one newspaper editor was bold enough to write that the decline of English as a university subject was a ‘healthy development’, adding that ‘literature is lovely stuff but it’s not a way to earn your bread.’ This is particularly interesting coming from an individual whose successful career is based upon their ability to write, edit and keep up to date with current affairs; all skills attributed to the study of humanities subjects.
Critical thinking is perhaps the most highly valued skill accredited to humanities students and graduates: the ability to internalise and analyse knowledge, and then use that knowledge to develop innovative solutions to a range of problems. By studying historical texts and debating philosophical questions, young people are gaining skills which prepare them for a world where they need to know how to scrutinise ‘truth’, challenge traditions, and sometimes fight for what’s right – whether that’s a business deal, a law case, or a way to split the bill at dinner.
Teaching and writing are the most stereotyped career paths for graduates of humanities degrees. There are alternatives, however, since students of history, language, literature and philosophy are renowned for the communication, reasoning and teamwork skills that their education endows upon them (as well as teaching and writing). This opens up opportunities in marketing, public relations, entrepreneurship and government jobs.
Additionally, many graduates of humanities degrees go on to be successful lawyers, since they have acquired impressive research and critical analysis skills which are particularly valuable in the legal field. On the other hand, some humanities graduates choose to use their training in collaboration, problem-solving and compassion to pursue a role as a counsellor or therapist, thereby helping other people understand and solve their individual problems.
Whether you’re someone who appreciates the value of curiosity and open-ended questions about the ways of the world or not, it’s undeniable that the study of humanities subjects has an array of benefits for individuals and society at large. Historical enquiries, literary analysis and philosophical questioning are extremely effective ways for young people to practice coming up with fresh approaches to old problems. Some many complain that there’s never a ‘right answer’ in these subjects, but people with the most inquisitive, creative minds will appreciate the beauty in that indefiniteness.
By Charlie Steer-Stephenson 2023