Don’t be startled by the headline. I am keenly aware of the importance of STEM, and I strongly support both STEM disciplines and the humanities. However, I believe literature, philosophy, history and sociology are just as important as STEM.
The humanities and STEM coincide well together. It’s the ultimate duo. While medicine, engineering and mathematics matter, without self reflection and awareness, an understanding of life, respect for others and the desire to make this world a better place, those other areas have no value. In fact, nothing does.
We need the humanities, because they give our lives meaning and create empathy by stepping into someone else’s shoes, perhaps through a story. I am a firm believer that in order to help people, you have to empathize with them and empathy comes from understanding.
One too many of us are becoming apathetic, zombie-like, greedy workaholics instead of being purposeful, loving and community oriented. Everything seems to be about financial gain. Obviously, financial stability is important, so choosing to pursue that is not an issue. However, the issue lies in people’s glorification of money and power.
Perhaps the lack of respect and love for the humanities could be linked to the hyper-individualism, anti-intellectualism and greed that exists in this world. Humanities teach us about the significance of passion, equity, critical thinking, love and beauty.
For example, in philosophy, you are tasked with questioning everything that you were conditioned to believe. It’s a discipline that helps you to acquire the skill of thinking for yourself.
Literature, art, and music are other disciplines that aren’t about control or rushing through life. The humanities are all about intention and patience. In this field, you learn the power of a word, theory, musical note, social movement or even an art piece. You realize that you truly can change the world with an idea.
In the words of the great Professor Keating from Dead Poets Society, “medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for.”
The human spirit has been crushed by the blows of inequity and oppression, but it can be rejuvenated through the arts. I’m not telling you to ditch your STEM major. As I’ve implied before, STEM is beneficial to the world. But, I’m encouraging you to take a few courses in the humanities, if you truly seek to leave this world better than what you found it, and feel as though your life isn’t purposeless.
Life can be dark, but there’s light that can be found in any humanities course.
Amyri Jones is a 22-year-old digital advertising and religious studies senior from Baton Rouge.
