Exploring the decline of humanities majors in universities and the arguments defending their value. Discussing critical thinking skills, empathy, and the controversy surrounding humanities vs. STEM. Raising questions about the intrinsic value of humanities education and the importance of theory in practice. Examining the struggle to articulate the true value of the humanities and the need for a strong rationale to attract students and maintain funding.
The decline in humanities enrollments and closure of departments at universities highlight the crisis facing these fields.
The common arguments defending the humanities, such as teaching critical thinking and fostering empathy, need better justification.
The humanities should equip students with practical tools to find answers and guide their lives, rather than leaving them confused or aimless.
Deep dives
The Value of the Humanities
The podcast explores the value and relevance of the humanities in today's society. It discusses the decline in enrollments and the threat of cuts to humanities programs at universities. The podcast questions the arguments commonly used to defend the humanities, including the claims that they teach critical thinking skills, foster empathy, and contribute to good citizenship. The episode highlights the admissions of an accomplished professor who admits not knowing the value of the humanities. It raises the concern that passion and personal interest may not be sufficient reasons to prioritize and fund the humanities.
Decline in Enrollments
The podcast presents data showing a decline in humanities enrollments in the United States. English and history studies have fallen by a third in the past decade, and overall humanities enrollment has decreased by 17%. This decline is seen as a crisis by some, with universities cutting humanities majors and departments. The episode also mentions the closure of programs at specific universities, such as West Virginia University. The statistics and examples provided highlight the ongoing decline in humanities education and the concerns surrounding its future.
Challenges in Defending the Humanities
The podcast explores the challenges in defending the humanities and offers critical analysis of common arguments. These arguments include claims that the humanities teach critical thinking skills, foster empathy, and contribute to good citizenship. The episode questions the validity of these arguments and highlights the need for a better justification of the value of the humanities. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the purpose and goals of the humanities and the need for clear and compelling reasons to prioritize and support the field.
The Value of Good Citizenship in the Humanities
The podcast delves into the importance of good citizenship and the role of the humanities in cultivating informed and thoughtful individuals. It raises questions about the definition of a good citizen, which varies based on political and moral theories. The podcast highlights concerns that today's humanists may be promoting a form of citizenship influenced by woke egalitarianism, which celebrates questionable figures as good citizens. It questions whether a Christian view or the founding fathers' leadership approach is more conducive to fostering good citizenship. Overall, the humanities are deemed valuable when they encourage self-reflection and critical examination of the standards of good citizenship. However, it remains uncertain whether today's humanists are adequately meeting this criteria.
Exploring the Intrinsic Value of the Humanities
The podcast delves into the argument that the humanities possess intrinsic value in and of themselves, independent of any practical benefits or justifications. Some argue that the contemplation and study of humanities subjects, such as literature, art, philosophy, and music, provide profound and enlightening experiences. However, it is questioned whether this intrinsic value alone can sufficiently justify the study and pursuit of the humanities. The podcast highlights the importance of connecting the humanities to practical aspects of life and addressing the fundamental questions individuals face when forging their path in life. It argues that the humanities should equip students with the tools to find answers and guide their lives, rather than leaving them with a sense of confusion or aimlessness.
In this episode of New Ideal Live, Ben Bayer and Sam Weaver discuss the humanities "crisis" in American universities. They explain the most common arguments in defense of the humanities, why they are not compelling, and the vital role that these studies play in an individual's life and the culture.
Among the topics covered:
How the humanities curricula shape our intellectual culture;
Why the mere reduction of humanities majors does not necessarily imply a "crisis";
Why learning critical thinking skills is not unique to the humanities;
How the emphasis on "empathy" in the humanities leads to a dangerous relativism;
Why focusing on citizenship is too impersonal and uncritical;
Why saying that the humanities have intrinsic value is a non-argument;
Philosopher Agnes Callard’s confession of ignorance about the value of the humanities;
The humanities' role in guiding a successful human life;
The universities’ failure to give students the tools to answer life's questions.
Recommended in this podcast are Ayn Rand’s essays “For the New Intellectual” and “The Psycho-Epistemology of Art,” and the previous New Ideal Live episode “The Real Scandal Underlying Campus Antisemitism.”
The podcast was recorded on December 20, 2023. Listen to the discussion below. Listen and subscribe from your mobile device on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or Stitcher. Watch archived podcasts here.
https://youtu.be/Zbxo2MFkfMk
Podcast audio:
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