Fish on the humanities
I enjoyed reading Stanley Fish’s argument against attempts to justify studies of the humanities. Fish respectfully points to Anthony Kronman’s idealistic viewpoint that the humanities teach people compassion and give them examples of the different paths a life can take. He acknowledges that this argument makes sense, but ultimately seems to think it’s dishonest. Which is to say: can you stand up in front of a bunch of people and say the humanities make better people when the professors who study them everyday are clearly no better as people than the rest of us? Similarly, a “careerism” argument for the humanities is just as flimsy as it is depressing.
The ultimate conclusion from Fish, “The humanities are their own good” brings the forthrightness to the matter that he seeks. I have trouble agreeing outright, but this piece brings me rather closer to that view.
Comments
John
Just because you teach it doesn’t necessarily mean you live it. This reminds me of the many complacent Christians who think going to church weekly and saying a prayer at dinner fulfills the Christian requirements. It’s true, saddening, and eye-opening all at once.
Alexander Micek
A bit like knowing how to eat healthy, but eating at McDonald’s daily for lunch. Given the plasticity of the body (and, I hope, the soul), there is nearly always time to change.