Five Reasons We Need to Know Western Humanities

"The Dying Gaul" was a work that showed an enemy as human.

"El-Jem" is a well preserved colosseum in Tunisia. Few tourists so you can have it to yourself.

Cultural imperialism? Or a passport to understanding? When you learn the broad strokes of the Western Humanities, here are five incredible benefits.

1. You will be the cool person at parties. Why? Because you will be able to talk about allusions all artists, writers and philosophers have made since ancient times. Yes, modern culture is riddled with them. For example, at this link you can see pictures of modern references to Ancient Greece, while at this link, you can see the amazing number of references to western mythology in pop songs.
2. You will be able to understand a multitude of cultures. To know a second or third or fourth culture allows insight into theirs and your own. Did you know that Ancient Greece had many different cultures. Italy in the Renaissance had many different cultures. By understanding them as well as others, you will have greater insight into what makes us human - the human experience. 
3. You will be able to differentiate the meaningful from the merely "interesting". Philosophy, art, and literature are rife with stories and concepts that have stood the test of time. These were not fads. Do you know about the "pet rock"; unless you were alive in December, 1975, probably not. It was a fad - and yes, someone gave me a pet rock to take care of. However, other rocks have stood the test of time: you may be aware of a reference to rolling a rock up a hill only to watch it roll down again - a reference to Sisyphus' eternal punishment for being deceitful and overly-crafty. That comes from knowing the Humanities and is a warning related to the human condition.
4. You will be able to see values as comparative. Sorry, but many values change and twist and turn with time. In ancient Rome, the mos maiorum was a compendium of time-honoured social practices. It was far more hierarchical and patriarchal than we would accept in many of today's Western societies. And yet, an understanding of ancient Roman society and thought and indeed law is fundamental to understanding our own code of ethics and values. We may not agree with the ancient Roman ways, but knowing them helps us understand our own ways.
5. You will be inspired when you explore the wonders of Western Humanities. So much has been pondered, created and entrusted to posterity and each item is one of wonder. And best of all, it is not subtractive. Learning about other cultures does not subtract from your own but further enriches it.

             Enjoy the journey and get smart!
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