Stanley Fish, an academic humanist, makes a bold claim about the utility of the humanities. He argues that their main purpose is to provide individual pleasure. They don’t reform, they don’t humanize, and they don’t help us understand the meaning of life, Fish asserts, because if they did, your English, philosophy, music, and history professors would be among the best people on earth (and you already know that they aren’t!).
Is Fish right? Scholars of history make war, writers of novels commit crimes, and gifted creative artists lose their lives to drugs and alcohol. And yet, it was a pamphlet that helped launch the American Revolution, it was music that helped empower a generation to oppose the Vietnam War, and a painting like Picasso’s Guernica is considered a national treasure in Spain.
What do you think? Can training in the humanistic disciplines do anything more than give us individual pleasure?
J.
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Even though I would not like to agree with Fish, I find that he makes a pretty good argument, particularly in view of Dr. Matthews' comments regarding the undervaluation of the humanities as a career choice.
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Depending upon your level of thinking, whether it's analytical or creative you may or may not believe that humanities do anything more than give us individual pleasure. Personally, I don't believe Fish is exactly right. I believe that arts can shape a person's individuality and or thinking starting at a young age. The first thing I think of is the commercials for Americans for the Arts, and I believe if nothing else that puts in perspective the need or even the advantage the arts can have on everyday life.
Individual pleasure is highly influenced by society. Therefore, the capitalist environment that we live in defines pleasure as being a synonym for wealth. At this time in America's existence, the humanities do not produce high income like other studies such as business. The humanistic disciplines have no other purpose besides individual pleasure. One may be able to "enjoy" their humanistic job, however, statistically it will not support them to the level that they desire.
Our society has really lost all appreciation for the humanities. I do agree with Fish stating that the humanities are valued only as individual pleasure. However, I am very discouraged that they do not have a prominent role in our society. What we as Americans consider to be art these days is absolutely baffling.
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