ON THE VALUE AND THE LACK OF VALUE OF THE HUMANITIES

Text topic: Studies

Text author: Iris Vidmar

One of the most contentious questions in today’s discussions on the educational policies concerns the role and values of the humanities in contemporary society and education. Many see the humanities as empty, unnecessary, inefficient, phony and worthless. This paper offers a rundown of arguments adduced to support this view, followed by an overview of Helen Small’s The Value of the Humanities, which offers an exceptionally critical and insightful analysis into the current debate over the value of the humanities. The paper ends by emphasizing further the need to recognize the contribution of the humanities to the production of knowledge and enhancement of the quality of life, as well as to the much needed sense of purpose and meaning.