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'''Humanity''' - the state of being human

 

'''Humanity''' - the state of being [[human]]

1. mankind, human beings as a group

1. mankind, human beings as a group

2. the human condition

2. the [[human condition]]

3. the quality of being benevolent

3. the quality of being benevolent

From Middle French humaine, from Latin humanus, from Persian humana, from Avestan vohu mana (good mind)

From Middle French humaine, from Latin humanus, from Persian humana, from Avestan vohu mana (good mind)

* humanities [https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/humanities]

 

* humane [https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/humane]

* humanities [http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/humanities]

* humane [http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/humane]

 

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.

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.

 

 

==Branches==

==Branches==

===Arts===

===Arts===

The great traditions in [[art]] have a foundation in the art of one of the ancient civilizations:  

The great traditions in [[art]] have a foundation in the art of one of the ancient civilizations:  

*[[Ancient Egypt]],  

 

*[[Ancient Greece|Greece]] and [[Ancient Rome|Rome]],  

*[[Ancient Egypt]], [[Ancient Greece|Greece]], [[Ancient Rome|Rome]], [[China]], [[Indus Valley Civilization|India]], [[Mesopotamia]], and [[Mesoamerica]].

*[[China]],

*[[Indus Valley Civilization|India]],  

*[[Mesopotamia]],

*[[Mesoamerica]].

   

   

Ancient Greek art saw a veneration of the human physical form and the development of equivalent skills to show musculature, poise, beauty and anatomically correct proportions. [[Roman Empire|Ancient Roman]] art depicted gods as idealized humans, shown with characteristic distinguishing features (i.e. [[Zeus]]' thunderbolt).  

Ancient Greek art saw a veneration of the human physical form and the development of equivalent skills to show musculature, poise, beauty and anatomically correct proportions. [[Roman Empire|Ancient Roman]] art depicted gods as idealized humans, shown with characteristic distinguishing features (i.e. [[Zeus]]' thunderbolt).  

Religious [[Islam]]ic art forbids iconography, and expresses religious ideas through geometry instead.

Religious [[Islam]]ic art forbids iconography, and expresses religious ideas through geometry instead.

The physical and rational certainties depicted by the 19th-century Enlightenment were shattered not only by new discoveries of relativity by [[Albert Einstein|Einstein]] [http://books.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,,1035752,00.html] and of unseen psychology by [[Sigmund Freud|Freud]], [http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/modsbook36.html] but also by unprecedented technological development.  

The physical and rational certainties depicted by the 19th-century Enlightenment were shattered not only by new discoveries of relativity by [[Albert Einstein|Einstein]] [https://books.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,,1035752,00.html] and of unseen psychology by [[Sigmund Freud|Freud]], [https://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/modsbook36.html] but also by unprecedented technological development.  

Increasing [[globalization|global]] interaction during this time saw an equivalent influence of other cultures into Western art.

Increasing [[globalization|global]] interaction during this time saw an equivalent influence of other cultures into Western art.

=====Music=====

=====Music=====

Music as an academic discipline mainly focuses on two career paths, music [[performance]] (focused on the [[orchestra]] and the [[concert hall]]) and [[music education]] (training music teachers).  Students learn to play [[musical instrument|instruments]], but also study [[music theory]], [[musicology]], [[history of music]] and [[musical composition|composition]].  In the liberal arts tradition, music is also used to broaden skills of non-musicians by teaching skills such as concentration and listening.

Music as an academic discipline mainly focuses on two career paths, music [[performance]] (focused on the [[orchestra]] and the [[concert hall]]) and [[music education]] (training music teachers).  Students learn to play [[musical instrument|instruments]], but also study [[music theory]], [[musicology]], [[history of music]] and [[musical composition|composition]].  In the liberal arts tradition, music is also used to broaden skills of non-musicians by teaching skills such as concentration and listening.

===History===

===History===

[[History]] is systematically collected [[information]] about the [[past]]. When used as the name of a [[field of study]], ''history'' refers to the study and interpretation of the record of [[human]]s, [[family history|families]], and [[society|societies]]. [[Knowledge]] of history is often said to encompass both knowledge of past events and [[historical thinking]] skills.

[[History]] is systematically collected [[information]] about the [[past]]. When used as the name of a [[field of study]], ''history'' refers to the study and interpretation of the record of [[human]]s, [[family history|families]], and [[society|societies]]. [[Knowledge]] of history is often said to encompass both knowledge of past events and [[historical thinking]] skills.

====Classics====

====Classics====

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.

Criticism of the traditional humanities/liberal arts degree program has been leveled by many that see them as both expensive and relatively "useless" in the modern American job market, where several years of specialized study is required in many/most job fields.  This is in direct contrast to the early 20th century when approximately 3% to 6% of the public at large had a university degree, and having one was a direct path to a professional life.

Criticism of the traditional humanities/liberal arts degree program has been leveled by many that see them as both expensive and relatively "useless" in the modern American job market, where several years of specialized study is required in many/most job fields.  This is in direct contrast to the early 20th century when approximately 3% to 6% of the public at large had a university degree, and having one was a direct path to a professional life.

After [[World War II]], many millions of veterans took advantage of the [[GI Bill]].  Further expansion of federal education grants and loans have expanded the number of adults in the United States that have attended a college. In 2003, roughly 53% of the population had [[Educational attainment in the United States|some college education]] with 27.2% having graduated with a [[Educational attainment in the United States|Bachelors degree]] or higher, including 8% who graduated with a [[Educational attainment in the United States|graduate degree]]. ref. "US Census Bureau, educational attainment in 2003" [http://www.census.gov/prod/2oib;jobbjjbjb004pubs/p20-550.pdf|title=US Census Bureau], educational attainment in 2003.  As a result there is keen competition among those with degrees in the humanities as many may find themselves unable to find employment outside academia.  

After [[World War II]], many millions of veterans took advantage of the [[GI Bill]].  Further expansion of federal education grants and loans have expanded the number of adults in the United States that have attended a college. In 2003, roughly 53% of the population had [[Educational attainment in the United States|some college education]] with 27.2% having graduated with a [[Educational attainment in the United States|Bachelors degree]] or higher, including 8% who graduated with a [[Educational attainment in the United States|graduate degree]]. ref. "US Census Bureau, educational attainment in 2003" [https://www.census.gov/prod/2oib;jobbjjbjb004pubs/p20-550.pdf|title=US Census Bureau], educational attainment in 2003.  As a result there is keen competition among those with degrees in the humanities as many may find themselves unable to find employment outside academia.  

Meanwhile, there are many changes and debates occurring today in the humanities:

Meanwhile, there are many changes and debates occurring today in the humanities:

==== National institutions ====

==== National institutions ====

President [[Lyndon Johnson]] signed the [[National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities Act]] in 1965 [http://www.neh.gov/whoweare/overview.html], creating the National Council on the Humanities and funded the [[National Endowment for the Humanities]] (NEH) in 1969.  NEH is an independent grant-making agency of the United States government dedicated to supporting research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities (see [[Public humanities]]).

President [[Lyndon Johnson]] signed the [[National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities Act]] in 1965 [https://www.neh.gov/whoweare/overview.html], creating the National Council on the Humanities and funded the [[National Endowment for the Humanities]] (NEH) in 1969.  NEH is an independent grant-making agency of the United States government dedicated to supporting research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities (see [[Public humanities]]).

NEH facilitated the creation of [http://www.neh.gov/whoweare/statecouncils.html State Humanities Councils] in the 56 U.S. states and territories.  Each council operates independently, defining the "humanities" in relationship to the disciplines, subjects, and values valued in the regions they serve. Councils give grant funds to individuals, scholars, and nonprofit organizations dedicated to the humanities in their region.  Councils also offer diverse programs and services that respond to the needs of their communities and according to their own definitions of the humanities.

NEH facilitated the creation of [https://www.neh.gov/whoweare/statecouncils.html State Humanities Councils] in the 56 U.S. states and territories.  Each council operates independently, defining the "humanities" in relationship to the disciplines, subjects, and values valued in the regions they serve. Councils give grant funds to individuals, scholars, and nonprofit organizations dedicated to the humanities in their region.  Councils also offer diverse programs and services that respond to the needs of their communities and according to their own definitions of the humanities.

=== Humanities in the digital age ===

=== Humanities in the digital age ===

* [[List of academic disciplines]]

* [[List of academic disciplines]]

* [[Public humanities]]

* [[Public humanities]]

==External links==

==External links==

*[http://www.nhc.rtp.nc.us/ National Humanities Center - USA]

*[https://www.nhc.rtp.nc.us/ National Humanities Center - USA]

*[http://www.hums.org.uk/ The Humanities Association - UK]

*[https://www.hums.org.uk/ The Humanities Association - UK]

*[http://www.intute.ac.uk/artsandhumanities/ Intute: Arts and Humanities]

*[https://www.intute.ac.uk/artsandhumanities/ Intute: Arts and Humanities]

*[http://www.lib.latrobe.edu.au/AHR/ Australian Humanities Review]

*[https://www.lib.latrobe.edu.au/AHR/ Australian Humanities Review]

*[http://www.humanities.org.au/ Australian Academy of the Humanities]

*[https://www.humanities.org.au/ Australian Academy of the Humanities]

*[http://www.virginiafoundation.org/ Virginia Foundation for the Humanities]

*[https://www.virginiafoundation.org/ Virginia Foundation for the Humanities]

*[http://www.mfh.org/ Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities]

*[https://www.mfh.org/ Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities]

*[http://www.michiganhumanities.org/ Michigan Humanities Council]

*[https://www.michiganhumanities.org/ Michigan Humanities Council]

*[http://www.kyhumanities.org/ Kentucky Humanities Council]

*[https://www.kyhumanities.org/ Kentucky Humanities Council]

*[http://www.indianahumanities.org/ Indiana Humanities Council]

*[https://www.indianahumanities.org/ Indiana Humanities Council]

*[http://www.observacionesfilosoficas.net/ Revista Observaciones Filosóficas]

*[https://www.observacionesfilosoficas.net/ Revista Observaciones Filosóficas]

 

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanities]

The [[morality]] of the religions of [[evolution]] drives men forward in the God quest by the motive power of fear. The religions of [[revelation]] allure men to seek for a God of love because they crave to become like him. But religion is not merely a passive feeling of "absolute dependence" and "surety of survival"; it is a living and dynamic experience of [[divinity]] attainment predicated on '''humanity''' service.  ([[5:4|5:4.1]])

[[Category: General Reference]]

[[Category: General Reference]]