The concept of the humanities as a distinct academic category, separate from the sciences, has faced significant intellectual challenges and debates throughout the 20th century in the United States. These discussions often question the very foundation upon which the humanities are defined and their methods of inquiry. From critiques of scientific objectivity to postmodern rejections of traditional distinctions, the conceptual validity of the humanities has been
a recurring point of contention among scholars and philosophers.
Questioning the Science-Humanities Divide
One prominent challenge to the clear distinction between the humanities and sciences came from T.S. Kuhn's work, "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions." Kuhn argued that the progress of science is not always driven by objective inference from unbiased observation. Instead, he suggested that sociological and cultural factors, which are often value-laden, play a significant role in shaping scientific advancements. This perspective blurred the lines between what was traditionally seen as objective scientific inquiry and the more interpretive methods often associated with the humanities.
More recently, philosopher Richard Rorty has further critiqued the distinction between the sciences and the humanities, viewing it as detrimental to both fields. Rorty contended that this separation unfairly elevates the sciences to an undeserved pedestal while relegating the humanities to a realm of irrationality. His position advocated for a wholesale rejection of traditional philosophical distinctions, such as those between appearance and reality, or subjective and objective. Rorty proposed a new "fuzziness" that would lead to a pragmatism where the oppositions between the humanities, arts, and sciences might gradually fade away, ultimately suggesting that "the humanities" would no longer conceive of themselves as such.
Modernism, Postmodernism, and Cultural Literacy
The late 20th century in the United States also witnessed a significant challenge to what some perceived as the "elitism" of the humanities. Edward Said characterized this as a "conservative philosophy of gentlemanly refinement, or sensibility." Postmodernist thinkers argued that the scope of humanities study should expand beyond the traditional focus on "dead white males" to include works by women and people of color, and to move away from religious bias. This movement sought to make the humanities more inclusive and representative of diverse human experiences.
Michel Foucault, a highly influential French philosopher, was a key figure in this postmodern shift. His work, particularly "The Order of Things," posited that "we can study only individuals, not human nature," challenging universalizing concepts often found in traditional humanities. However, these proposed changes were not without their critics within the humanities. Some believed that such shifts could be detrimental, leading to what E. D. Hirsch Jr. referred to as declining cultural literacy. This debate highlighted a tension between broadening the scope of study and maintaining a perceived core of shared cultural knowledge.
Career Prospects and Shifting Value
Another area of debate surrounding the humanities concerns their perceived value in the modern American job market. Critics have often labeled traditional humanities/liberal arts degree programs as both expensive and relatively "useless" in an economy that increasingly demands specialized skills. This criticism suggests a disconnect between academic pursuits and practical career outcomes. However, recent data offers a more complex picture.
While a 2021 report indicated that unemployment rates for humanities majors were modestly higher and their earnings somewhat lower than the average for college degree recipients, these outcomes were still substantially better than for individuals without a college degree. Furthermore, the report found that humanities graduates reported high levels of satisfaction with their jobs and lives, comparable to graduates from other fields. As of 2018, over five million people in management and professional jobs held bachelor's degrees in the humanities, demonstrating their continued relevance in the workforce despite a decline in the percentage of bachelor's degrees conferred in the humanities, which fell below 10 percent by 2020.
