Some Observations Addressing the Sciences and the Humanities

The 4^thTriglav Circle on Zoom —- 18 January 2025

The humanities and humanism evolved over centuries.  In the Western world humanism can be traced back to Greece in the 5^th century BCE.  In Rome the concept evolved into ‘an ideal’ expressed as humanitas.  Modern humanism emerged in the 14^th/ 15^th centuries focusing on philThe humanities evolved over centuries. Modern humanities emerged in the 14^th/ 15^th centuries focusing on philosophical thinking and moral concerns rather than religion. It was reflected in a number of studies–philosophy, history, literature and the arts. The sciences emerged gradually during the 15^th – 17^th centuries. This so-called ‘scientific revolution,’ was preceded by developments in mathematics, physics, astronomy, biology and anatomy….

In time the wisdom of the early great philosophers was challenged by an empirical approach to ‘real knowledge’.  Empiricists firmly held that ‘real knowledge was derived by the senses.  The humanists had other ideas and defended the validity of metaphysics based on a priori reasoning, intuition and logic. ……

Harmonious entanglement between the sciences and the humanities are needed today. The former provide the material facts to be observed and experienced.  The later provide the foundation for conceiving values and ethics. Combined they expand imagination; facilitate identification of positive differences between phenomena, and offer rich alternatives in the search for reality….

Read the entire background paper here