Will the Humanities Save Us? Stanley Fish

1. Definition of humanities The humanities are academic disciplines which study the human condition, using methods that are primarily analystical, critical or speculative, as distinguished from the mainly empirical approaches of the natural and social science. Subjects: ancient and modern languages, literature, law, history, philosophy, religion, and visual and performing arts.

2. Kant ’ s categorical imperative The standard of rationality from which all moral requirements derive. An imperative is any proposition that declares a certain action (or inaction) to be necessary. "Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law."

3. Main idea and structure Introduction (Para. 1): Slight of the arts and humanities. Justification of the slight (Para. 2-3). Defense of the arts and humanities (Para. 4- 8). The writer’s opinions (Para. 9-12). Conclusion (Para. 13): The humanties are their own good.

4. Argument strategies (1) Comparison and contrast (2) Illustration and explanation. (3) Expert opinions and literary quotations. (4) Inductive method.

5. Preparation for revision 1. Articles to be tested. Unit 1: 1, 3, 4. Unit 2: 1, 3. Unit 3: 1, 4. Unit 4: 2. Unit 5: 1, Articles of emphasis. (1) Losing Sight of Reality (2) Feeling at Home.