Part of the problem, or part of the solution? : Philosophical and historical reflections on the humanities subjects in the Anthropocene

• In recent years–in light of climate change, species extinction and the covid pandemic–both the very concept of Bildung (education) and humanities generally and the humanistic school subjects (history, classical and modern languages, literature, rhetoric, art) specifically, have taken on a distinctively new meaning. It is no longer possible to comprehend human health, the ecological system or the survival of the planet, without referencing culture, thus recognizing that these questions are intimately connected to ethics and lifestance, existential self-understanding, the role of creativity and humans’ place in history and the universe. Regardless of what lessons can be drawn, there is, however, a deeper problem in Western culture, not least reproduced within the field of humanistic knowledge, namely anthropocentrism—the idea of humans’ elevated position. Deawing on Nietzsche, Latour and Byung-Chul Han, philosophical and historical reflections are here presented on the limitations and possibilities of humanities and the humanistic school subjects during the Anthropocene. Are there a new humanities beyond humanities—and a human beyond the human?

Subject headings

HUMANIORA  -- Filosofi, etik och religion -- Idé- och lärdomshistoria (hsv//swe)

HUMANITIES  -- Philosophy, Ethics and Religion -- History of Ideas (hsv//eng)

HUMANIORA  -- Annan humaniora -- Kulturstudier (hsv//swe)

HUMANITIES  -- Other Humanities -- Cultural Studies (hsv//eng)

Keyword

History of Ideas

Idéhistoria

Kulturstudier

Cultural studies

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

kon (subject category)