The Crisis of the Humanities - Hilton Japiassu

The Crisis of the Humanities: A Call to Action

In his book "The Crisis of the Humanities," Hilton Japiassu argues that the humanities are in a state of crisis. He identifies a number of factors that have contributed to this crisis, including the rise of science and technology, the decline of traditional values, and the increasing commercialization of society.

Japiassu argues that the humanities are essential to a healthy society. They provide us with a way to understand our past, present, and future. They help us to make sense of the world around us and to find our place in it. They also teach us how to think critically and creatively.

The crisis of the humanities is a serious threat to our society. If we allow the humanities to decline, we will lose a vital part of what makes us human.

The Causes of the Crisis

Japiassu identifies a number of factors that have contributed to the crisis of the humanities. These include:

• The rise of science and technology. The rise of science and technology has led to a decline in the importance of the humanities. In the past, the humanities were seen as essential for understanding the world around us. However, with the advent of science and technology, we can now understand the world through a scientific lens. This has led to a decline in the study of the humanities.
• The decline of traditional values. The decline of traditional values has also contributed to the crisis of the humanities. In the past, the humanities were seen as a way to transmit traditional values from one generation to the next. However, with the decline of traditional values, the humanities have lost their sense of purpose.
• The increasing commercialization of society. The increasing commercialization of society has also contributed to the crisis of the humanities. In today's world, everything is seen in terms of its economic value. This has led to a decline in the value of the humanities, which are not seen as having a direct economic benefit.

The Consequences of the Crisis

The crisis of the humanities has a number of negative consequences for society. These include:

• A decline in critical thinking skills. The humanities teach us how to think critically and creatively. Without the humanities, we will lose our ability to think for ourselves and to make informed decisions.
• A decline in cultural literacy. The humanities teach us about our past, present, and future. Without the humanities, we will lose our understanding of the world around us and our place in it.
• A decline in social cohesion. The humanities help to create a sense of social cohesion. They provide us with a shared set of values and beliefs. Without the humanities, we will become more divided and isolated from each other.

A Call to Action

Japiassu concludes his book with a call to action. He argues that we need to take steps to reverse the crisis of the humanities. These steps include:

• Increasing funding for the humanities. We need to increase funding for the humanities so that they can continue to produce high-quality research and teaching.
• Promoting the humanities in schools. We need to promote the humanities in schools so that students can learn about the importance of the humanities and develop critical thinking skills.
• Supporting the arts. We need to support the arts so that artists can continue to create works of art that inspire and challenge us.

The crisis of the humanities is a serious threat to our society. However, it is not too late to reverse this crisis. By taking action, we can ensure that the humanities continue to play a vital role in our society.

Conclusion

"The Crisis of the Humanities" is a powerful and persuasive book that makes a strong case for the importance of the humanities. Japiassu's analysis of the causes and consequences of the crisis is insightful and thought-provoking. His call to action is clear and compelling. This book is a must-read for anyone who cares about the future of the humanities.