Humanities delivers the thrill and benefits of asking “why”
When I go hiking in my local park, the surrounding forest tends to spark in me a sense of wonder. I think about the ecological workings of the landscape, such as the symbiosis between the trees and fungi. But as much as I reflect on the relationships between individual organisms, I marvel at the overall beauty of what’s in front of me, and I wonder about what makes the forest beautiful.
Bound up in the world around us are scientific and humanistic discoveries to be made. We can zoom in to consider the particulars or take a step back to ask broader, equally important questions. Both approaches are essential for navigating the challenges that face us today, like maintaining democracies, and finding solutions to the environmental crises caused by pollution and global warming.
Jordan Akers, a rising junior at Yale majoring in comparative literature at Yale University, is a Sustainability Ambassador for CivicStory.
Humanities: asking “why?”
When I ask myself what makes the forest beautiful, I am participating in a mode of humanistic inquiry, whether I know it or not. The humanities, as the name suggests, is a group of disciplines that asks the fundamental question, “What does it mean to be human?” It encompasses a broad range of subjects, including literature, philosophy, history, arts, and religion. Humanities also tends to refer to subjects that are not strictly scientific or technical. Rather, it revolves around human stories and creations. Students of humanities examine these stories, and they think about the deep meaning of works of art.
Humanities “makes us whole as human beings,” stated Dr. Beverly Vaughn, a professor of music at Stockton University. It helps us become conscious of what humans do—whether it’s thinking, making art, or worshiping a higher power—and why we do it. In fact, studying the humanities helps us understand why we ought to study in the first place. Humanities, at its core, is this “why?”.
Humanities’ relevance to democracy
Beyond being interesting on its own, studying the humanities teaches key skills, like communication and critical thinking, that not only help people in the workplace, but help them to become better global citizens. According to Dr. John Ranieri, a professor of philosophy at Seton Hall University, “A person who knows more is freer because they are then not as susceptible to being manipulated.”
Students of the humanities learn to interrogate the information around them, such as in the news and in social media, to separate facts from fiction. An ability to discern credibility is vital to the proper functioning of a democracy. People must be properly informed in order to make the best decisions in leadership positions and at the ballot box.
Humanities’ relevance to environmental sustainability
As it strengthens our democracy, studying humanities also advances our progress toward environmental sustainability. Although Americans tend to view STEM subjects more favorably than humanities subjects, it is important to approach issues of sustainability from a scientific and humanities perspective. We can then ask ethical questions like, “What is the relationship we currently have with nature, and what should that relationship be?” according to Seton Hall philosophy professor Dr. Judith Stark.
It is by answering such questions that we can understand our obligation to resolve environmental crises. Then, once we’ve identified the problems and desired outcomes, we can look to the sciences to take us down the paths where solutions lie. As Dr. Stark so aptly stated, “Humanities and the sciences can come together to figure out how we can have a sustainable relationship between the human race and this planet that we live on.”
Humanities gives us the thrill of asking “why?” while helping us understand the responsibility that comes with asking such a question. The answers can shed light on topics as diverse as a forest’s beauty and the elements of a strong democracy.
Jordan Akers is a CivicStory Sustainability Ambassador