Complacency: Classics and Its Displacement in Higher Education

Complacency in the academy has led to the decline of classics, as it has replaced the qualitative methods of the past with quantitative positivism and neutral abstraction. This has resulted in a lack of humanist subjectivity, self-sufficiency, and academic complacency.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 144 pages
Publication date: 01 April 2022
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

Complacency, a vice that has plagued university study for centuries, has taken a toll on the study of classics in the modern academy. In his book "The End of the Classics," philosopher Simon Blackburn paints a damning portrait of complacency, arguing that it hinders the intellectual growth of students and undermines the core mission of universities. John T. Hamilton, in his critical reflection on complacency and its role in the decline of classics, delves into the history of this vice and its implications for our contemporary moment.

The subjects, philosophies, and literatures of ancient Greece and Rome were once considered the pinnacle of learning, with everything else deriving from them. Hamilton explores the similarities between the model of superiority that emerged during the golden age of the classical tradition and the current hegemony of mathematics and the natural sciences. He examines how the qualitative methods of classics, which emphasize humanist subjectivity, empathy, and critical thinking, relate to the quantitative positivism of big data, statistical reasoning, and neutral abstraction that often dismisses humanist values and promotes self-sufficiency.

Hamilton raises important questions about the reduced status of classics in higher education today. He questions how scholarly striation and stagnation continue to bolster personal, ethical, and political complacency in our present era. The decline of classics in universities has broader societal consequences, as it perpetuates a narrow worldview and undermines the development of critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of human culture.

To address the challenges posed by complacency, Hamilton suggests several solutions. He advocates for a renewed emphasis on the study of classics in higher education, including the integration of classical literature and philosophy into other disciplines. He also calls for a more interdisciplinary approach to education, which recognizes the interconnectedness of different fields and encourages students to think critically and creatively.

In conclusion, complacency has played a significant role in the decline of classics in the academy. John T. Hamilton's critical reflection on complacency and its implications for our contemporary moment provides valuable insights into the challenges facing the study of classics and the broader implications of this decline for higher education and society. By recognizing the value of classics and promoting a more interdisciplinary approach to education, we can work towards a more informed and engaged citizenry.

Dimension: 216 x 140 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226818627