Spring 2020
Why studying the humanities is important in our increasingly high-tech lives Written by Victoria de Angelis For better or for worse, individuals are the masters of their own destiny. A key part of curating our identities (and thus our destinies) is deciding upon a career, often governed by one’s virtues, experiences, interests, and plain luck. However, for youths today there are many other factors to consider. Generally, in college, a student chooses one of two paths: STEM, shorthand for science, technology, engineering, and math, or the liberal arts. As our everyday lives persistently intertwine with technology, the former is emphasized by politicians, parents, and professionals over the latter in picking a career deemed to be stable. A student may feel that a degree in the humanities is desirable, but too often choose the more “reasonable” option in STEM fields. There is a fundamental misconception of the virtues of a humanities degree its function in the modern job market. In fact, this remarkable time in human history is when we need humanities the most. This misinformed perception of the humanities refutes the dialectical discourse encompassing eros and logos, insisting that the opposing forces are simply at odds. In reality, they frequently go handin-hand as the pursuance of desire and reason has resulted in remarkable innovation across the ages. So why would society now discourage education in the humanities and disrupt this synergy? During the twentieth century, programs offered by higher education institutions more or less yielded a corresponding career. If you wanted to work in business, you simply studied business. Today, requirements for jobs are much more demanding, and a degree doesn’t promise a job interview. In fact, many people in the workforce report being in a field vaguely or not at all related to the degree they studied in college. However, this tends to be the case more often for students studying the humanities than STEM, as the complex knowledge gained from STEM degrees is seen as more readily applicable. And because so much is being invested in technological innovation, these jobs are also generally more lucrative.
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