Countering the perception that the humanities are unessential, this volume contends that their well-being has not only academic but also cultural, political, and existential ramifications. Our technologically-driven world possesses the means of its own destruction, while economic and financial policies undermine the very existence of our democracy. At the same time, the postmodern and post-human age fundamentally challenges our ability and legitimacy to conceive future ideals. It is within this context that the humanities provide essential paths through which the teaching and knowledge of other academic fields such as STEM and economics must be re-envisioned. In short, the humanities must be brought back to the center of academic life. The political and pedagogical implications of this interdisciplinary study thus entail a renewed critique to rethink the relation between higher education, society, and the world at large (politically, economically, scientifically, and technologically) and the importance of the humanities within it. At the heart of this reconsideration, the humanities' and humanity's fate and future become one.
Preface Introduction The Humanities at Risk Disconnections: Theory, Society, Politics The Limits of Anti-Foundationalism and Anti-Humanism The End of Democracy? Pedagogical and Interdisciplinary Perspectives After the Postmodern/Post-human? The Case for the Humanities Chapter 1: The Humanities in the City Polity and Pedagogy: Beyond Relativity Public School, Music, and Citizenship Seneca and the Necessity of Virtue Studia Humanitatis and Realpolitik Cultivating Alterity The Postmodern and Utilitarian Challenge Beyond Borders: Bettering Humanity Chapter 2: Humanizing Economics The Market and Liberal Education Uncovering the Rhetoric of Economics Historicism, Narrative, Empathy Questioning Homo Economicus Globalization with a Human Face Chapter 3: Searching for STEM's Telos The Limits of Science Da Vinci's Hostinato Rigore Deciphering Einstein's Interdisciplinary Mind Toward a Poetics of the Universe Jonas' Ethics of Responsibility A Liberal Arts' Pedagogy for Technology? The Challenges of Transhumanism/Posthumanism Chapter 4: Transcendent Humanities Transmitting Heritage Bibliotherapy and Healing Humanities Remembering Auschwitz Rwanda and Multidirectional Memories Toward Empathy and Meaning Women Transcending Margins Contrapuntal Readings Bibliography About the Author
