Chapter 1

The Humanities and The Arts

 Learning Outcomes
At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
1. explain the concepts of arts and humanities;
2. illustrate interrelationships of humanities versus sciences;
3. demonstrate understanding and appreciation of studying
humanities;
4. discuss the nature of arts, the subject of arts, and the
functions of arts; and
5. understand and value oneself.
 The Meaning of Humanities
The word HUMANITIES comes from the Latin humanus which
means human, cultured, and refined (Aquino and Santillana,
2015).
 The Meaning of Humanities

It pertains to humane feelings and the conduct towards

others depicting gentleness, consideration, and manner
(Aller and Autida, 2018).
 The Meaning of Humanities
According to Ortiz (1976), Humanities are records of man’s
quest for answers to the fundamental questions he asks
about himself and about life.
 The Meaning of Humanities

Hence, the essence of man’s existence is revealed through

these questions – What am I? (man, rational) Who am I?
Why am I existing? Where will I be from here?
 Activity 1

Answer the question: “Who am I?” in one paragraph of ten

sentences only.
 The Content of Humanities

Humanities include anything that is inherently human – man’s

experiences, his values, his sentiments, his ideals, his goals. The
humanities are thus expressions of man’s feelings and thoughts
(Ortiz, 1976).
 The Background of Humanities
▪First applied to the writings of ancient Latin authors for
their moral teachings
 The Background of Humanities
▪Medieval Age - dealt with the metaphysics of the
religious philosophers
 The Background of Humanities
▪Renaissance - set of disciplines taught in the universities
 The Background of Humanities
▪Modern times - serves to provide the students with
certain skills and values through the arts (Ortiz, 1976)
.
The Distinctions of the Humanities
and the Sciences
Humanities
deal with the internal world of man – his personality
and experiences that cannot be measured, classified
or controlled
deal with human activities and values that can be
perceived by the senses, felt by the heart, and
expressed through actions in a variety and subtle
ways
approach towards the subjective aspect because of
the use of perception, intuition, and insight
focus on man as an individual
aim to make man more human
Sciences
deal with the external world of man including the
aspects of man that can be measured, 0bserved, and
experimented exactly
are concerned with and expressed through numbers
and symbols
approach towards the objective aspect
focus on the group of men, institutions, and society
aim to understand and control nature and to harness
energy to make life for man comfortable
Activity 2

What is art for you?

 The Meaning of Art

Please watch this video: “Ma-arte Ako” at

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjuV7SA6fj4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOQ8hfOAREI
 The Meaning of Art

Art is the conscious creation of something beautiful

or meaningful using skill and imagination.
 The Meaning of Art

The term Art was derived from the Latin “Ars” meaning
skill and “Arti/s” referring to craftsmanship, skill, mastery
of form, and inventiveness.
 The Meaning of Art

According to Webster, art is “human ingenuity in

adapting natural things to man’s use”.
“ The Arts and Humanities define who we are as a people. That is their
power to remind us of what we have to offer, and what we all have in
common - to help us understand our history and imagine our future, to
give us hopes in the moments of struggle and to bring us together when
nothing else will.”
-Michelle Obama
 The Importance of Studying Humanities

1. The fields of knowledge that fall under humanities will help

discover and understand the nature of man. As human beings,
we learn to appreciate the different fields of Humanities since it
aims man in educating himself about the world which he is part
of.
 The Importance of Studying Humanities

2. Humanities deal with man’s purpose here on earth

which includes his values, characters, emotions, and
sometimes as a forecaster with divine intervention.
 The Importance of Studying Humanities

3. Humanities will help us understand the culture, world

views, language, and history of a particular country.
 The Importance of Studying Humanities

4. Humanities will encourage us to think creatively based

on the works of art produced by the artists around the
globe.
 The Importance of Studying Humanities

5. Humanities teaches us to become human and to ask

questions pertaining to the world which we live in.
 Nature of Art

Art is
everywhere.
 Nature of Art

Art is a Pragmatic
Instrument.
Nature of Art

ART is a Reflection
Of Nature.
Nature of Art
ART is a
Personal Expression

Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it.
Because what the world needs is people who come alive. -
Howard Thurman
Nature of Art
ART is an
Expression and
Vehicle of
Communication.
Nature of Art

ART is CREATION.

ART is about CREATION. IF YOU’ReNOT CREATING,you’re NOT DOING ART.

-Samuel Killermann
 Three Major Experiences Involved in Artistic Activities

1. Experiences which the artist wants to express or communicate

2. Act of expressing these experiences
3. Gratifying experience of having accomplished something
significant
 Nature of Art

ART is
NOT NATURE.
 Nature of Art

Art and Beauty

One of the basic human needs of man is desire for beauty and order.
They provide comfort, balance and pleasure to our lives.
Everyone wants order and consistency since loud sound is no
longer music but noise, hence order and consistency are
needed to appreciate music.
But, beauty is relative not absolute.
The concept of beauty changes (non-permanent) as time
passes. (e.g. clothing, haircut styles etc.)
Concept of beauty varies between cultures. (e.g. black is
beautiful for the whites.)
Many people expect that art is beautiful, but it is not always the
case. (e.g. the famous work of Nunelucio Alvarado “big and short -
bodied with wide-eyed sacadas of Negros”, Manuel Baldemors “dirty
shanties of slum dwellers”, Gary Granada’s award winning
composition about Smokey Mountain’s scavengers, “Bahay”.
What is important in arts are the order
and harmonious arrangement of the
formal elements.
Art may bring beauty to humanity as well as it brings
order to what is seems to be a chaotic world.
Art is therefore Humanities since it brings good and
noble in people.
Arts and Humanities as it focuses on human beings may
bring goodness to people in the world as man journeys
across historical time as he searches for realities and as he
strives to achieve the ideals creating a meaning and a good
life here on earth.
 Types of Art Based on Subject

1. Representational Arts/Objective
Art/Figurative Art
-a type of art with concrete subject
 Types of Art Based on Subject
2. Non – representational Art/Non – objective
Art
-a type of art with no concrete subject
-subject represented by bright light, dark
colors, or abstract things or objects
 Manners of Representing Subject
Kinds of Subject

See PPT - Manners of Representing Subject and

Kinds of Subject
 The Functions of Art

General Functions:
1. Satisfying individual needs for personal expression
2. Satisfying social needs for display, celebrations, and
communications
3. Satisfying physical needs for utilitarian objects and
structures
 The Functions of Art
Specific Functions:
1. Personal Function
2. Social Function
3. Physical Function

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRJyeDRCrjo
End of Chapter I