Humanities Midterm
Benton and DiYanni's discussion of the various aspects of the humanities including art
"The humanities represent the most significant and vital of human accomplishments--they reflect our achievements from the beginning of human life in prehistory. Included are the most important developments in the history of civilization: various forms of art--painting, sculpture, and architecture; the emergence of literature, drama, and music; the creation of philosophies and religions that have modeled the thoughts and actions of countless people worldwide; and the historical study of these occurrences." (xiv)
Reasons John Stuart Mill's defends freedom of expression
- Fallibility: Necessary consequence of human fallibility is that the beliefs we hold might be wrong and the ones we shun might be right - Partial truth: Views outside the prevailing opinion, even if they are largely mistaken, may contain some truth or offer valuable insight - Dead dogma: Ideas that are not subjected to intense scrutiny and challenge cease to be forcefully believed or understood or followed through a social obligation
Know the aspects of "doing philosophy" as per Robert Solomon: articulation
- explaining "as clearly and as convincingly as possible, what we believe and what we believe in" Articulation challenges us to put our insights and convictions into words, whether it be through the written or spoken word -putting your ideas in clear, concise, readily understandable language
What is applied philosophy?
-A practical problem that Aims to affect change as well as engaging in determining what ought to be believed -involves taking action and governing human activity The study of the nature, causes, or principles of reality, knowledge, or values, based on logical reasoning.
Critical Thinking Skills
-Assess and construct deductive and inductive arguments -Identify and assess assumptions -Observe and assess observation reports -Identify and assess the credibility of sources -Detect and avoid unnecessary and avoidable bias -Identify and assess generalizations -Identify and assess causal claims -Embrace dispositions of open -mindedness and interpersonal sensitivity
Key points made by Plato on education
-Children are significantly shaped by early experience and education (377b) -Children are often told stories that promote visions of life that "shape" their "souls" (377c) and are "hard to erase and apt to become unalterable" (378d) -Consequently, storytellers must be supervised (377c) to ensure wrongdoing and inharmonious behavior is not normalized or glamorized (378a-c) -And "god must always be represented as he is" "good"
Know the meaning and significance of conceptual frameworks
-Conceptual framework is a network of basic values, attitudes, and beliefs that form an interpretive lens through which we see and understand the world •Conceptual frameworks-"explain, shape, and reflect our view of ourselves and our world" (Karen J. Warren 1994: 156) -" At any given time, a conceptual framework functions for an individual as a finite lens, a 'field of vision,' in and through which information and experiences are filtered. As such, conceptual frameworks set boundaries on what one 'sees'" -Cultural has a big significance of conceptual frameworks. Conceptual frameworks provide with the map to organize our information. To perceive the world without an interpretive lens would be something akin to what William James described as "blooming, buzzing confusion" a baby experiences upon entering the world
Know the aspects of "doing philosophy" as per Robert Solomon: argument (justification)
-Defending your stated beliefs/ideas with reasons, observations, and principles to establish your conclusions and overcome objections (Big Questions 6) •To justify yourself is to craft an argument for a particular position or belief by giving supporting reasons for the validity of said belief (PAW 1)
Howard Zinn's criticism of historians as per assigned reading
-Historians tended to emphasize heroism of Columbus; deemphasized their destruction of innocent human life • The decision to emphasize one element and not another is shaped by one's worldview • Highlights that history has been told from particular vantage points
In what ways can we "actively engage" or participate in the humanities, according to Richard Jewell
-See a play, concert, or dance. -Attend an art or sculpture exhibition. -Go to an historical museum. -Describe one's own philosophy of life. -Create a work of art. -Study the basis of other world religions. -Experience a foreign culture for a day. -Write about such experiences before and after. -Discuss such experiences with each other. -Compare, compare.
Three theories of truth: correspondence, Coherence, and Pragmatic
-The correspondence theory of truth states that the theory of truth which holds a belief to true (false) if, and only if, it corresponds (does not correspond) to objective reality or fact -Coherence theory of truth holds a belief to be true if it harmonizes (coheres) with larger body of beliefs or other facts that have already been accepted as true -A pragmatic theory of truth states: A belief is true if it works and can be put to use
Value of the humanities as per Judith Butler
-thinks reading helps us learn about the humanities -thinks humanities helps us be better citizen, helps us on ways to best preserve this world -thinks humanities allows us to learn how other's experiences that we haven't really dealt with ourselves
The value of philosophy according to the School of Life
1) It helps us ask big questions 2) It helps us use common sense 3) It helps us be less confused 4) It helps us know ourselves better
The value of art according to School of Life
1) It keeps us hopeful 2) It makes us less lonely 3) It re-balances us 4) It helps us to appreciate things 5) It is propaganda for what really matters
The value of history according to the School of Life
1) It provides us with solutions to many problems of the present 2) It's full of good ideas 3) It teaches us that things can change 4) It can teach us courage
Cognitive Skills of Critical Thinking
1. Analysis- Examining how ideas or experiences are used or applied to support other ideas or conclusions; examining reasoning or relationship between ideas; asking appropriate questions, seeking clarification 2. Conceptualization- Determining how to define or think of a given ideas or concept 3. Application- Deciding when and how to apply relevant concepts or experiences to improve understanding 4. Synthesis- Fitting ideas and whole arguments together with other ideas and arguments
Know the meaning of philosophy and Ph.D.
1. Meaning of Philosophy -love of wisdom -A thinking activity involving the search for the truth about the world and our place in it -Critical evaluation of human thought and concepts -A discipline that facilitates the critical evaluation of human thought and fundamental concepts are (Truth, God, Freedom, Beauty, Right.Wrong__ - Involves attempting to coordinate your ideas into a coherent, consistent worldview or conceptual framework 2. Ph.D. is doctor of philosophy
Logic
1.Deals with methods of good reasoning; two general divisions: deductive logic and inductive logic. 2.Addresses questions such as - What is an argument? - What kinds of arguments are there? - What distinguishes a good argument from a bad one? - When are we justified in believing the conclusion of an argument?
What are the two ways in which philosophy can be applied to solve problems?
1.Utilizing philosophy's basic thinking activities—as reflection, articulation, analysis, and clarification—in order to solve or facilitate the solving of a practical problem 2.Applying the theories of philosophy to solve problems
What does Elliot D. Cohen say philosophy is?
A "thinking" activity
From pretest: In his classic work, On Liberty (1859), English philosopher, John Stuart Mill defends and expansive right to free expression on grounds that __________________.
A and B only
What are primary and secondary sources?
A primary source provides direct or firsthand evidence about an event, object, person, or work of art. Secondary sources describe, discuss, interpret, comment upon, analyze, evaluate, summarize, and process primary sources. Primary Sources: reports by those who were there Secondary Sources: discussions of the reports
What is Plato's myth of the metals?
According to this 'myth of the metals', every citizen is born out of the earth of the State and every other citizen is his brother or sister. Yet God has framed them differently, mixing different metals into their soul: gold for the rulers, silver for the auxiliaries, and brass or iron for the husbandmen and craftsmen
From pretest: Benton and DiYanni contend that art has had varied uses throughout human history. Specifically, art has been used ________________.
All of the above
From pretest: Martha Nussbaum argues that too many fail to honor the soul in preference for the pursuit of "the possessions that protect, Please, and comfort us." Which of the following scenarios exemplify this criticism?
All of the above
From pretest: According to Richard Jewell, we can each actively engage or participate in the Humanities by ________________.
All of the above.
Know Socrates' position, via Plato in The Republic, on forced education of children
Because no free person should learn anything like a slave. Forced bodily labor does no harm to the body, but nothing taught by force stays in the soul. In place of force Socrates calls for children to be taught these subjects through -"play instead. That way you'll also see better what each of them is naturally fitted for."
Catharsis and entertainment violence according to Sissela Bok
Catharsis Theory: viewing violence gives people emotional release from negative feelings such as pity, fear, and anger - expressing anger or getting out one's aggression produces a healthy release of emotion and reduces aggression
How does color play a role in painting?
Color plays a role in establishing mood
Metaphysics
Concerns the nature of reality itself or the ultimate nature of all things 2. Addresses questions such as: - What is the essence of various things (ideas, beings etc.)? - What is our essence as human beings, for instance? -questions on religion/God
Noam Chomsky's view on reading and books including electronic books
Electronic books] have advantages. You have half a dozen books you can read on an airplane trip. On the other hand, when I read a book I care about, I want to make comments in the margins, I want to underline things. I want to make notes on the flyleaf. Otherwise I don't even know what to go back to. You can't do that the same way with an electronic book. Words just pass into your eyes. Maybe they don't even stay in your brain....
From pretest: According to philosopher Elliot D. Cohen, philosophy is only a body of ideas of a given philosopher or thinker, NOT a thinking activity.
False
Know Antonio Gramsci's theory of cultural hegemony, why he believes all people are philosophers, and what we must recognize in order to achieve self-knowledge (hint: "infinity of traces")
Gramsci argued that force could only be a short-term measure for the ruling classes, who needed to create popular consent among the working classes to rule effectively and efficiently. That consent was gained by spreading the beliefs of Capitalist ideology through important cultural institutions. Through education, religion, the media, and government bureaucracy the ruling class could create order in civil society by ensuring that basic capitalist values were thought unquestionable. -specifically the parts of society that rely on the consensual participation of the public—supports ways of seeing the world that benefit particular groups in society and undermine other groups
Branches of Philosophy
Logic Epistemology Metaphysics Axiology
According to Solomon, what role does philosophy play in shaping our conceptual framework?
Philosophy...is first of all the activity of stating, as clearly and as convincingly as possible, what we believe" and why we believe it -Solomon states as a young kid as a young kid we tend to take our values for granted and not really know why we believe or follow certain things. It leads us to have multiple conceptual frameworks. Solomon states that with philosophy become clear about what they believe and why they believe it.
Know the aspects of "doing philosophy" as per Robert Solomon: reflection
Reflection •We are always "thinking," but we're not always being reflective •Being reflective or contemplative involves critically and/or creatively examining your ideas •Then comparing them to others' ideas
Epistemology
Study of knowledge; deals with the definition of knowledge and how to go about justifying knowledge claims. What kinds of knowledge that are possible 2. Addresses the problem of skepticism - What is knowledge? - What are the sources of knowledge? - What is truth? - Under what conditions are we justified in believing something? 3. Distinguishes between two types of knowledge: - Empirical knowledge - based on experience and observation - A priori knowledge - independent or before any particular experience (2+3 = 5)
Value of the humanities as per David Behling
The humanities are at the core of a Liberal Arts education because they are about understanding how people are active creators of culture, not just passive recipients of tradition. We choose to do many things with our lives --career, spirituality, music, art --and those choices shape who we become."
Axiology
Theory of value; includes ethical theory, social and political philosophy, and aesthetics
meaning of cultural studies as per UCF and UNC websites
UNC: Cultural studies is an innovative interdisciplinary field of research and teaching that investigates the ways in which 'culture' creates and transforms individual experiences, everyday life, social relations and power. Research and teaching in the field explores the relations between culture understood as human expressive and symbolic activities, and cultures understood as distinctive ways of life. UCF: interdisciplinary study of cultures and meanings. Included is studying how human cultures have produced meaning in the past and continue to do so, reflecting critically on these productions, and learning relevant perspectives and meaningful interpretations that contribute to responsible engagement with the many different cultural expressions we encounter today."
components of critical thinking
Virtuous dispositions of critical thinking include: - Reasonableness (justifying your assertions) - Open-mindedness - Fairmindedness - Moral and Intellectual Courage - Intellectual Humility - Responsibility
What are the Humanities?
academic disciplines that seek to understand and interpret human experience
Meaning of culture as per Stephen Duncombe
both the culture we enjoy and the culture in which we live provide us with ideas of how things are and how they should be, frameworks through which to interpret reality and possibility. they help us account for the past, make sense of the present and dream of the future. Culture can be, and is, used as a means of social control. more effective than any army is a shared conception that the way things are is the way things should be... In order to strive for change, you have first to imagine it, and culture is the repository of imagination.
Various approaches to studying the Humanities
critical thinking reasoning experience inference background beliefs
Value of the humanities as per Mark Edmundson
it's not about success, its about questioning success and every important social value. It is learning how to live one's life.
What are the Humanities sub-disciplines
philosophy, religion, history, language arts, performing arts, visual arts
Humanities and its relationship to Liberal Arts
their common disciplines: humanities, social sciences, anthropology, sociology, psychology, history
In what ways do we experience the humanities, as per Benton and DiYanii
through art, dance, history, religion, philosophy , literature, film, drama,'
Value of the humanities as per Martha Nussbaum
we are pursuing the possessions that protect, please, and comfort us.... but we seem to be forgetting about the soul, about what it is for thought to open out of the soul and connect person to world in a rich, subtle, and complicated manner; about what it is to approach another person as a soul, rather than as a mere useful instrument or an obstacle to one's own plans; about what it is to talk as someone who has a soul to someone else whom one sees as similarly deep and complex.
Meaning of critical thinking as per Dr. Nall
•A method of thinking that emphasizes reflective, open minded, and rational analysis •Deliberately, fair-mindedly and open-mindedly examining and evaluating concepts, beliefs, statements of fact, and argument
Know the aspects of "doing philosophy" as per Robert Solomon: analysis
•Identifying the various components of an idea or argument •Attempting to identify any unstated underlying assumptions in the argument (PAW 2) •Determining whether or not these ideas are logically compatible •Asking yourself if you can think of examples that undermine a given argument (counterexample) "understanding an idea by distinguishing and clarifying its various components •Through analysis we get closer to clarification or defining important terms (PAW 3)
Know the aspects of "doing philosophy" as per Robert Solomon: synthesis
•Involves organizing our various ideas/concepts/ beliefs into a coherent, unified framework -This is the ultimate aim for philosophers •Understood as a "thinking activity," philosophy
Know the basics of Socrates' allegory of the cave
•The prisoners of the cave mistakenly believe that the truth is nothing other than the shadows •For Plato and Socrates, the allegory of the cave aims to help us understand how mistaken ideas can produce -Misinterpretations of our experiences, and -False beliefs about the world •Plato and Socrates believe that many of us are like these prisoners-slaves to misconceptions of the world that lead to false beliefs
