What is Humanities?

Humanities are academic disciplines that study human culture.

The term Humanities comes from a Latin word humanus, which means human, cultured and
refined. Generally, human beings possess and show quality like rationality, kindness
and tenderness. Such basic qualities of humans gain different connotations based on ones
environment, values, beliefs and experiences. They are the contributing factors to the refinement of
humans basic qualities.
Humanities, being the study of arts, have always been concern with the importance of human
being, his feelings, and how he expresses those feelings. However, it should be stressed that the
humanities emphasize analysis and exchange of ideas rather than the creative expression of the arts
or the quantitative explanation of the sciences
Humanities can be described as the study of how people process and document the human
experience. Since humans have been able, we have used philosophy, literature, religion, art, music,
history and language to understand and record our world. These modes of expression have become
some of the subjects that traditionally fall under the humanities umbrella. Knowledge of these
records of human experience gives us the opportunity to feel a sense of connection to those who
have come before us, as well as to our contemporaries.

Six (6) reasons why do we need to study humanities:

1. The humanities can first be used to understand the past which has created the present. The
culture which we have was shaped by the past. Facts, findings, and literature of even thousands
of years ago have influenced our world today. Knowing this past can allow people to understand
our present; knowing how we came to this present helps us to communicate about it and the
future.
2. The study of the humanities can also be used to realize differing interpretations of life and
history. Studying facts of the past helps to understand literature of the past. Art reflects the
cultures of the past, and shows how we achieved what we have today.
3. Humanities study helps you understand the impact that science, technology, and medicine has
had on society and understand the future scientific needs of society.
4. Humanities study strengthens your ability to communicate and work with others. It enhances
ones ability to work well with others and communicate properly via the spoken and written
word.
5. Studying the humanities allows you to become familiar with and use the creative ideas from
great minds outside of science. Biography, literature, and history offer a window into the
understanding of human nature and society. They introduce us to thoughts and ideas from
outside our specialist areas and can have relevance to finding new directions and enhance
creative thinking.
6. The humanities prepare you to fulfill your civic and cultural responsibilities. The humanities
provide an insightful understanding into moral, ethical, political, and ideological forces. The
liberal arts introduce aesthetic values to the student.

References:
Wikipedia (Definition of Humanities)
Shc.stanford.edu (Definition of Humanities)
Bluffton.edu (Reasons why we need to study Humanities)
Sciencemag.org (Reasons why we need to study Humanities)