Often we hear words such as “humanities” and “techie”. However, not everyone knows exactly what is at stake. We are so used to these definitions that we have developed fairly well-established stereotypes. Ask anyone about what humanities are - without hesitation, a person will answer that this is a synonym for the word "philologist", and techies are mathematicians. There is some truth in this. However, it is worth talking in more detail about what is the humanities and the techie.
According to the dictionary
So, the first thing I would like to talk about is the definition given to this term by the dictionary. The first interpretation is a specialist who is associated with activities related to human society, culture and people in general. But this is not the only definition. What does “humanitarian” mean besides this? This is also something that is addressed to the personality of a person and is associated with his interests, as well as rights. And finally, the last interpretation explaining what is the humanities. It is a synonym for the word humane. Only this expression is already outdated, and almost no one uses it.
False stereotypes
People, thinking about what the humanities are, often come to this conclusion: “So, I like to read, I like a variety of literature, newspapers and books - probably I will become a philologist. I definitely have a humanitarian mindset!” Many have heard similar phrases, but this is a very superficial opinion. Because of him, unfortunately, many are mistaken in choosing a further profession.
To love books is not to be a humanist. Diverse people with a well-developed imagination like to read. If you talk like that, then why did the famous physicist Einstein adore Dostoevsky? Or Korolev, who created many projects related to spacecraft, why could he freely quote Yesenin and regularly read War and Peace? They and many other famous personalities loved to read, but this fact does not make them humanitarians.
But this is still not completely absurd, much worse when this word refers to those people who have spent all 11 years in school, but have not learned the multiplication table. "Loafer" or "lazy person" sounds insulting, but here "humanity" - no.
What is the truth?
Finding out what humanities are, it should be noted that the sciences in this category differ from the exact ones. However, not as many people think. Natural sciences are aimed at building an objective picture of our world. But the humanities are studying human consciousness.
The opinion that "techies" in life is more complicated is erroneous. This is not true. Human consciousness is non-linear, there is no place for formalization in it, but there is subjectivity. It is very variable, and it is impossible to study it to the end, while a particular theory has long been proven, and it remains to be put into practice. Of course, one cannot compare the natural sciences and the humanities . They are completely different, and that some that others are incredibly complex. But to think about the statement that the humanities do nothing is worth it.
Humanities is not a profession, but a mindset
The whole list of specialties cannot be listed - there are a lot of specialties. But no matter what the humanist chooses a profession, one thing he must be able to do is to see the complexity and polysemy of all phenomena, as well as be able to analyze them. No wonder psychologists say that each phenomenon can be explained differently seven times, and any situation can be resolved as many times.
So, what is the humanities - it is clear, but it is worth giving a few illustrative examples that would help to understand the essence of this activity. Take, for example, plain text. What is so special about it? It would seem nothing. However, the humanist sees in him not just words. For him, text is a way to know the world. Analyze what is described in it. Find the resemblance to reality. Use what you read in life. The humanist sees not just a set of sentences. He understands how, how and from which this text was created. He feels the thoughts of the author. He knows what he wanted to say. And this is undoubtedly a real gift.
Professions
To be able to perceive reality in different ways, to see several possible solutions to problems, to be able to look at a problem from different angles, to analyze absolutely everything that happens in our life, and then to be able to apply the information received in our activities - this is all humanities. The professions that fall into this category are multifaceted - these are choreographers, journalists, architects, and psychologists. Literary critics, designers, art historians, calligraphers, photographers, critics, playwrights, stage designers, historians, linguists - this is still a very small list of specialties that relate to the humanitarian sphere of activity.
But really, if you think about it, all people who belong to any of the listed professions are very individual. They must perceive reality in a special way in order to create something unique, to embody what they see in their work.