Humanities Vs. Human Inquiry

Humanities vs. Human Inquiry

Lana Faw

HUM/102

April 4, 2016

Joan Canby

Humanities vs. Human Inquiry

        Humanities have been around since the 1300s.  A field of study that continues to expand over time, adding newly discovered concentrations.  Over time, humanities has been defined in several different ways.  There has also been other fields of study added to the list that some feel does not fall into the line of Humanistic study, however, may actually have roots to the beginning of humanities.  The definitions of humanities, other topics – such as human inquiry, and modern day expressionism are constantly evolving into something with more depth and meaning.

        One way to describe or define humanities, would be in a Classical sense, or Classical Humanism.  According to Fiero, 2015: “Classical Humanism is the movement to recover, edit, and study ancient Greek and Latin manuscripts that helped cultivate a sense of civic pride”.  Or, personally, the beginning of humanities coming into a clearer view, setting the base of how humanities should be handled and enjoyed.

        Another definition of humanities would be Renaissance Humanism.  Also according to Fiero, 2015: “Renaissance Humanism is the cultivated idea of the good life in which Classical Humanism is applied to diplomacy, politics, and many arts”.  Classical Humanism makes an appearance within the Renaissance, helping support the ever-growing field of humanities, little by little.

        One more way to define humanities; Modern Humanism.  Fiero, 2015 says: “Modern Humanism, or humanities, comes down to culture.  Challenges of survival, communality, and self-knowledge, along-side various forms of personal expression is handed down from generation to generation”.  Basically, knowledge gained from life experiences, how situations between good and bad were handled, skills handed down from ancestors over time, anything learned and gained from life, being taught in this day and age to our children and grandchildren so they may have a better understanding at life itself.

        Humanities, human inquiry, and expression, according to some, are different subject areas.  However, they can all rely on each other.  According to Stanford Humanities Center at Stanford University, the study of humanities falls under: Art and Art History, Classics, Literatures and Cultures, East Asian Languages and Cultures, English, History, Linguistics, Music, Philosophy, Religious Studies, and Theater and the Performing Arts.  They also show the Science of Medicine falling into the same category.  Therefore, why should other modes, such as sciences, medicine, technology, and mathematics fall under a different category?  Without the founders of math, science, technology, and medicine, we would not be as advanced in today’s world as we are now with what is considered humanistic studies.

        Art, music, architecture, philosophy, and literature are all ways for an individual to freely and creatively express themselves.  Whether their works are made public, or kept private.  One painter from the late 1330s expressed his feelings on political, socioeconomics, and technology.  Ambrogio Lorenzetti’s painting Effects of Good Government in the City and the County (1338-1339).  He shows how construction is being done on buildings, leading to advancement in today’s technology.  Classrooms full of children who are going to be leaders and workers, helping the city and country advance, or fall.  And finally, merchants who are selling goods, which will eventually lead up to a government being formed and taxes being introduced.

        Music was another way of expressionism and helped shape the music we listen too today.  A “16th-century group of Florentines, known as Camerata, helped shape and develop Opera”, according to Encylopaedia Britannica.  Opera, depending on the story it tells, can lead one to imagine romance to tragedy.  However, it can also lead one to see stories of the rise and fall of great cities/empires, how technology is assisting/corrupting, and how politics are full of lies/truths.  Whether the stories are based on reality or simply make-believe, Opera is a truly wonderful experience.