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[[Image:Delphi Platon statue 1.jpg|thumb|right|The philosopher Plato]]

[[Image:plato.jpg|thumb|right|The philosopher Plato]]

The '''humanities''' are those academic disciplines which study the [[human condition]] using methods that are largely [[analytic]], [[critical]], or [[speculative]], as distinguished from the mainly [[empirical]] approaches of the [[natural science|natural]] and [[social sciences]]. Conventionally the humanities include [[Languages|ancient and modern languages]] and [[literature]],  [[history]], [[philosophy]],  [[religion]], [[visual arts|visual]] and [[performing arts]] (including [[music]]).  Additional subjects sometimes included in the humanities are [[anthropology]], [[area studies]], [[communications]] and [[cultural studies]], although these are often regarded as social sciences. Scholars working in the humanities are sometimes described as "humanists". But that term also describes the philosophical position of [[humanism]], which some "[[antihumanist]]" scholars in the humanities reject.

The '''humanities''' are those academic disciplines which study the [[human condition]] using methods that are largely [[analytic]], [[critical]], or [[speculative]], as distinguished from the mainly [[empirical]] approaches of the [[natural science|natural]] and [[social sciences]]. Conventionally the humanities include [[Languages|ancient and modern languages]] and [[literature]],  [[history]], [[philosophy]],  [[religion]], [[visual arts|visual]] and [[performing arts]] (including [[music]]).  Additional subjects sometimes included in the humanities are [[anthropology]], [[area studies]], [[communications]] and [[cultural studies]], although these are often regarded as social sciences. Scholars working in the humanities are sometimes described as "humanists". But that term also describes the philosophical position of [[humanism]], which some "[[antihumanist]]" scholars in the humanities reject.

==Humanities fields==

==Humanities fields==

===Classics===

===Classics===

[[Image:Homere.jpg|right|thumb|Bust of [[Homer]], a Greek classicist]]

[[Image:homer.jpg|right|thumb|Bust of [[Homer]], a Greek classicist]]

The classics, in the Western academic tradition, refer to cultures of [[classical antiquity]], namely the Ancient Greek and Roman cultures.  Classical study was formerly considered one of the cornerstones of the humanities, but the classics declined in importance during the [[20th century]].  Nevertheless, the influence of classical ideas in humanities such as philosophy and literature remain strong.

The classics, in the Western academic tradition, refer to cultures of [[classical antiquity]], namely the Ancient Greek and Roman cultures.  Classical study was formerly considered one of the cornerstones of the humanities, but the classics declined in importance during the [[20th century]].  Nevertheless, the influence of classical ideas in humanities such as philosophy and literature remain strong.

===Languages and literature===

===Languages and literature===

[[Image:First Folio.jpg|thumb|right|[[Shakespeare]] wrote some of the greatest works in English literature]]

[[Image:shakespeare.jpg|thumb|right|[[Shakespeare]] wrote some of the greatest works in English literature]]

The study of individual modern and classical languages form the backbone of modern study of the humanities, while the scientific study of language is known as [[linguistics]] and is a [[social science]].  Since many areas of the humanities such as literature, history and philosophy are based on language, changes in language can have a profound effect on the other humanities.  Literature, covering a variety of uses of language including [[prose]] forms (such as the [[novel]]), [[poetry]] and [[drama]], also lies at the heart of the modern humanities curriculum.  College-level programs in a [[foreign language]] usually include study of important works of the literature in that language, as well as the language itself (grammar, vocabulary, etc.).

The study of individual modern and classical languages form the backbone of modern study of the humanities, while the scientific study of language is known as [[linguistics]] and is a [[social science]].  Since many areas of the humanities such as literature, history and philosophy are based on language, changes in language can have a profound effect on the other humanities.  Literature, covering a variety of uses of language including [[prose]] forms (such as the [[novel]]), [[poetry]] and [[drama]], also lies at the heart of the modern humanities curriculum.  College-level programs in a [[foreign language]] usually include study of important works of the literature in that language, as well as the language itself (grammar, vocabulary, etc.).

Theatre

Theatre

[[Image:PF 916002~Puccini-Turandot-Posters.jpg|thumb|right|Original ''[[Turandot]]'' poster, a highly successful theatre production]]

[[Image:Puccini-Turandot-Posters.jpg|thumb|right|Original ''[[Turandot]]'' poster, a highly successful theatre production]]

Theatre (or theater) (Greek "theatron", ''θέατρον'') is the branch of the [[performing arts]] concerned with [[acting]] out stories in front of an audience using combinations of speech, gesture, music, dance, sound and spectacle — indeed any one or more elements of the other performing arts. In addition to the standard narrative dialogue style, theatre takes such forms as [[opera]], [[ballet]], [[mime artist|mime]], [[kabuki]], [[classical Indian dance]], [[Chinese opera]],  [[mummers' play]]s, and [[pantomime]].

Theatre (or theater) (Greek "theatron", ''θέατρον'') is the branch of the [[performing arts]] concerned with [[acting]] out stories in front of an audience using combinations of speech, gesture, music, dance, sound and spectacle — indeed any one or more elements of the other performing arts. In addition to the standard narrative dialogue style, theatre takes such forms as [[opera]], [[ballet]], [[mime artist|mime]], [[kabuki]], [[classical Indian dance]], [[Chinese opera]],  [[mummers' play]]s, and [[pantomime]].

===Religion===

===Religion===

[[Image:God the Geometer.jpg|thumb|The [[compass]] in this [[13th Century]] manuscript is a symbol of God's act of [[Creation (theology)|creation]].]]

[[Image:God_the_Geometer.jpg|thumb|The [[compass]] in this [[13th Century]] manuscript is a symbol of God's act of [[Creation (theology)|creation]].]]

Most historians trace the beginnings of [[Religion|religious belief]] to the Neolithic Period. Most religious belief during this time period consisted of worship of a [[Mother Goddess]], a [[Sky Father]], and also worship of the [[Sun]] and the [[Moon]] as deities. (''see also [[Sun worship]]'')

Most historians trace the beginnings of [[Religion|religious belief]] to the Neolithic Period. Most religious belief during this time period consisted of worship of a [[Mother Goddess]], a [[Sky Father]], and also worship of the [[Sun]] and the [[Moon]] as deities. (''see also [[Sun worship]]'')

===Visual arts===

===Visual arts===

[[Image:Quatrain on Heavenly Mountain.jpg|thumbnail|''Quatrain on Heavenly Mountain'' by [[Emperor Gaozong of Song China|Emperor Gaozong]] (1107–1187) of [[Song Dynasty]]; fan mounted as album leaf on silk, four columns in cursive script.]]

[[Image:Quatrain_on_Heavenly_Mountain.jpg|thumbnail|''Quatrain on Heavenly Mountain'' by [[Emperor Gaozong of Song China|Emperor Gaozong]] (1107–1187) of [[Song Dynasty]]; fan mounted as album leaf on silk, four columns in cursive script.]]

The great traditions in [[art]] have a foundation in the art of one of the ancient civilizations, such as [[Ancient Egypt]], [[Ancient Greece|Greece]] and [[Ancient Rome|Rome]], [[China]], [[Indus Valley Civilization|India]], [[Mesopotamia]] and [[Mesoamerica]].

The great traditions in [[art]] have a foundation in the art of one of the ancient civilizations, such as [[Ancient Egypt]], [[Ancient Greece|Greece]] and [[Ancient Rome|Rome]], [[China]], [[Indus Valley Civilization|India]], [[Mesopotamia]] and [[Mesoamerica]].

Painting

Painting

[[Image:Mona Lisa.jpg|thumb|The [[Mona Lisa]] is one of the most recognizable artistic paintings in the [[Western world]].]]

[[Image:Mona_Lisa.jpg|thumb|The [[Mona Lisa]] is one of the most recognizable artistic paintings in the [[Western world]].]]

[[Painting]] taken literally is the practice of applying [[pigment]] suspended in a carrier (or [[Paint#Components|medium]]) and a binding agent (a [[adhesive|glue]]) to a [[surface]] (support) such as [[paper]], [[canvas]] or a wall. However, when used in an artistic sense it means the use of this activity in combination with [[drawing]], [[composition (visual arts)|composition]] and other aesthetic considerations in order to manifest the expressive and conceptual intention of the practitioner. Painting is also used to express spiritual motifs and ideas; sites of this kind of painting range from artwork depicting mythological figures on pottery to [[Sistine Chapel|The Sistine Chapel]] to the human body itself.

[[Painting]] taken literally is the practice of applying [[pigment]] suspended in a carrier (or [[Paint#Components|medium]]) and a binding agent (a [[adhesive|glue]]) to a [[surface]] (support) such as [[paper]], [[canvas]] or a wall. However, when used in an artistic sense it means the use of this activity in combination with [[drawing]], [[composition (visual arts)|composition]] and other aesthetic considerations in order to manifest the expressive and conceptual intention of the practitioner. Painting is also used to express spiritual motifs and ideas; sites of this kind of painting range from artwork depicting mythological figures on pottery to [[Sistine Chapel|The Sistine Chapel]] to the human body itself.