Humanist Reason: A History. An Argument. A Plan

The humanities are in crisis, but Eric Hayot argues that it is time to make a positive case for what they are and what they can become. He develops the concept of "humanist reason" to understand the nature of humanist intellectual work and lays out a series of principles for their future development. Humanist Reason offers a new vision for the humanities that moves beyond traditional disciplines to demonstrate their relevance to our world.

Format: Hardback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 16 February 2021
Publisher: Columbia University Press

The humanities are facing a crisis, with utilitarian approaches to education, corporatization of universities, plummeting enrollments, budget cuts, and political critiques from right, left, and center. Eric Hayot argues that it is time to make a positive case for what the humanities are and what they can become. He challenges scholars and students in the humanities to rethink and reconsider the work they do, examining the origins of the humanist ethos in nineteenth-century Germany and tracing its philosophical roots back to Immanuel Kant. He develops the concept of "humanist reason" to understand the nature of humanist intellectual work and lays out a series of principles that undergird this core idea. Together, they constitute a provocative intellectual and practical program for a new way of thinking about the humanities, humanist thought, and their role in the university and beyond.

Humanist Reason lays out a new vision that moves beyond traditional disciplines to demonstrate what the humanities can tell us about our world. It argues that the humanities are essential for developing critical thinking skills, empathy, and a sense of social responsibility. It also emphasizes the importance of the humanities in promoting cultural diversity, understanding different perspectives, and promoting social justice.

The book also challenges the notion that the humanities are irrelevant in the modern world and argues that they are more relevant than ever. The rise of technology and the digital age has created new challenges and opportunities for the humanities, such as the need to understand the impact of technology on society and the human experience. The humanities can also provide a valuable counterbalance to the dominant ideologies of the day, such as capitalism and consumerism, which prioritize individualism and materialism over social and cultural values.

In conclusion, Humanist Reason is a powerful and thought-provoking book that offers a new vision for the humanities. It challenges the status quo.quo and provides a compelling argument for the importance of the humanities in promoting critical thinking, empathy, and social responsibility. It also emphasizes the importance of the humanities in promoting cultural diversity, understanding different perspectives, and promoting social justice. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in the future of the humanities and the role they can play in shaping a better world.

Weight: 500g
Dimension: 236 x 158 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231197847