tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10834046.post5797397289369972687..comments2008-07-28T17:48:36.923+01:00Reflection Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15613969718374472287noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10834046.post-87366935778328398762008-07-28T15:27:00.000+01:002008-07-28T15:27:00.000+01:002008-07-28T15:27:00.000+01:00My comments would relate to three specific issues:(1)Humanities/humanistic and literary devices/social and cultural sciences have,in major part, failed to deliver in social terms due to varied failings of the agencies/institutions/establishments that have been entrusted with responsibilities of deliverance;<BR/>(2)Specific geo-political ground realities of huamn existence have prevented such agencies/institutions/establishments from making requisite efforts to capitalize on or disseminate the knowledge and expertise emanating from humanities and other allied variants of humanistic endeavour among social classes/groups/formations who need them most,monopolizing or distorting the intended purports and consequences of humanities to suit the evil needs and intentions of entrenched vested interests;<BR/>(3)Humanities have always shown inherrent potentials for generating 'paradigmatic self-critiques' to create 'epistemic violence' against all forms of 'disciplinary injustice' meted out to knowledge enterprises in both societies at war or in peace with themselves or others.<BR/><BR/>Viewed in these perspectives,I would conclude by upholding the relevance of huamnities to fathoming the depth of contemporary politico-social discursivities,including the ones generated by the so-called 'non-humanistic' knowledge enterprises(all 'hard' sciences,after all, have had distinct humanistic blends and blemishes throughout the processes of their coming into being as well as maturation).<BR/><BR/>Humanities can do nothing unless human beings involved in handling them remain mindful of their built-in potentials and weaknesses and humanities alone can afford to generate a sort of 'epistemic violence' that can question the very meaning of it's own existence.So,humanities haven't failed us,we've failed the humanities.Satyajit Das Guptanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10834046.post-30398477866676650832008-07-23T15:31:00.000+01:002008-07-23T15:31:00.000+01:002008-07-23T15:31:00.000+01:00Yes, no &amp; maybe...I am studying &#39;international relations&#39; &amp; always asked what it is? I try to sum up with it is basically international politics, figuring out how &amp; why we do things. Broad but gets the point across. There lies our problem. Third level these days is all about training people to join the workforce, slotting them into very specific career paths within business, IT and so on. From the outset the humanities may suffer from not having that obvious career structure. We are more horizontal then hierarchical. Most people seem to enjoy that stability and predictability. Yet we within the humanities are here (in my case) for the enjoyment and love of the subject. I am a mature student, first time around I did a Diploma In Science (nautical) with a career path firmly set out (youth &amp; naivety are great things). Now I am turning my hobby into a career and loving it. The humanities are as important as they ever were and will always attract a certain type of individual, those that remind everyone else that the world can be a better place, things do change &amp; yes I can get paid for this!KDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15562012773398329825noreply@blogger.com