Oh The Humanities - A Defense of the Humanities

In this video, I defend the utility and importance of the humanities - English, Philosophy, History - against the popularity of STEM subjects - Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths. I argue that the humanities are indispensable to our endeavors as humans, whatever those endeavours might be.

In a Defence of Poetry, written in 1821, Shelley argued that:

'Poets are the hierophants of an unapprehended inspiration; the mirrors of the gigantic shadows which futurity casts upon the present; the words which express what they understand not; the trumpets which sing to battle, and feel not what they inspire; the influence which is moved not, but moves. Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world.'

Music:

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

I'm addicted to philosophy youtube channels

[aaron]

Thanks for this. Those sad quotes from US politicians demonstrate a pragmatic, bottom-line, transactional thinking that university should be 'job training' rather than the building of an expanding, creative and critical intellect.

[lefteris]

"Poets are the hierophants of an unapprehended inspiration; the mirrors of the gigantic shadows which futurity casts upon the present; the words which express what they understand not; the trumpets which sing to battle, and feel not what they inspire; the influence which is moved not, but moves. Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world." Shelley

[ujxtmap]

That comment from Shelley was fantastic! I don't really understand poetry (I'm a STEM guy) but when I watch your videos, I do see why this stuff is as important (if not, more important) than the sciences.

Keep up the good work - I love it!

[johnhill]

I love humanities and history and science. Great video

[kipandrew]

yeah it was good you definitely have one of the most exciting channels on youtube!

[TeaLobster]

I quite love humanities, myself, but I despise it in a university setting. Although they market themselves as open-minded people who can discuss anything, it's usually the opposite that plays out.

[John-lfxf]

1:27 they are different spheres of influence

[kaguya-sama]

The Australian government recently introduced a bill that increased subsidies for STEM subjects and reduced them for arts and humanities. Shame. At least we get subsidies though.

[vittoriobeghelli]

Sed contra! Good philosophy is a STEM subject.

[andrew_owens]

I'm so sick of social engineering that sucks out our souls.

[HxHDRA]

What is that ending music for each video

[John-lfxf]

i dont appreciate the abrupt transition to the outro that ruins the whole sentiment developed throughout the video. wtf man

[hanskung]

You can take medications for that addiction.

[pranavpillai]

The problem is with the system of higher education today. Not the humanities.

[samus]

I despise the humanities and throw out the resumes of anyone who takes more than the required minimum of them.