Humanities refer to the quality of being humane or human. It is a form of historical culture intended to provide general knowledge and intellectual skills, in contrast to occupational or professional skills. It investigates human concerns and human condition, using analytic, critical, or speculative methods. The study of humanities primarily aims to humanize mankind, explore and explaining human experience and involves inquiry into consciousness, values, ideas, and ideals as they seek to describe how experiences shape our understanding of the world. It is a pre-scientific study, based on ordinary experience. The purpose of the humanities is not knowledge but to humanize and promotes analysis and exchange of ideas. It helps us to realize what things are important in our own lives and what we can do to make them better. Scholars working in the humanities are often described as “humanists”.
The study of humanities is related to ancient and modern languages, literature, history, philosophy, religion, visual and performing arts, including music, music, dance, and drama. It also includes anthropology, area studies, communications, cultural studies, stories, ideas, and words that help us make sense of our lives and our world. History, anthropology, and archaeology study human social, political, and cultural development. It involves facts, findings that may be thousands of years ago and which have influenced our world today. This knowledge can allow us to understand our present and help us to communicate about it and the future. The study humanities shows the way through the development of thought and propels ones understanding of why things are the way they are.
Literature, languages, and linguistics observe the way we communicate with each other, and the ay our ideas and thoughts on the human experience are expressed and interpreted. Philosophy, ethics, and religion explore beliefs relating to the meaning of life and the reasons behind our thoughts, actions values and principles. It is concerned with the understanding of religion as one of humankind’s primary responses to and expressions of the human condition. It also gives voice to feeling and explores issues of morality and value.
Humanities also connects us with other people, helps us to differentiate between what is right or wrong, or what is true to our heritage and our history. It allows people to identify how different disciplines affect and complement one another. Thus humanities help us to better understand and communicate with one another and face challenges in our families, our communities, and as a nation.