Humanities Today Paper
University of Phoenix
HUM 102
February 25, 2008
Marian Wray
Humanities Today Paper
Humanities can be defined as academic disciplines that study the human condition, using methods that are analytic, critical and speculative, as distinguished from the empirical approaches of the natural and social sciences. Philosophy, religion, literature, history, ancient and modern languages, visual and performing arts are all examples of disciplines related to humanities. Although often regarded as social sciences, anthropology, cultural studies, area studies and communications are all subjects that are sometimes included in the humanities.
Humanities are distinguished from other modes of human inquiry and expression because unlike other methods that use an empirical approach, meaning evidence or consequences that are able to be observed by the senses, humanities use methods that are largely analytic, critical, or speculative. In today’s world humanities is expressed through many different aspects, these including art, music, literature, philosophy and agriculture.
Art has always played its role in humanities. Since the beginning of time people have used art as a form of expression or to show skill or mastery of a particular craft. Art refers to a diverse range of human activities and artifacts, and may be used to cover all or any of the arts, including music, literature and other forms. It is most often used to refer specifically to the visual arts, including media such as painting, sculpture, and print making. However it can also be applied to forms of art that stimulate the other senses, such as music an auditory art. Visual art is everywhere in or world today, from our homes, workplaces, restaurants and any other place that we may visit. Art definitely has an impact on the economy today. Artist painting are sold for hundreds of thousands dollars some even more. Museums and other institute showcase artist to the public at...