Lesson 1: Humanities and the Arts
“Man is the measure of all things” -
Protagoras
Humanities
came from the Latin word “humanus” which
means human, cultured and refined.
“Humanity scholars” or
“humanists” – Scholars in the
humanities. It also describes the
philosophical position of
humanism.
Vitruvian Man of Leonardo Da
Vinci
It means “Connecting Man to
Nature.”
This image demonstrates the blend
of mathematics and art during the
renaissance period.
Encyclopedia Britannica online states,
“Leonardo envisaged the great picture chart
of human body he had produced through
his anatomical drawings and Vitruvian Man
as a cosmografia del minor mondo
(cosmography of microcosm). He believed
that workings of human body to be an
analogy for the working of the universe.”
All about humanities:
Humanities contains the records of man’s
quest for answers to the fundamental
questions he asks himself and about the
world we live in.
Humanities studies man and the manner in
which he conducts himself from the time of
his existence to the present (Martin &
Jacobus, 2004)
Humanities is composed of academic
disciplines that make it distinctive content
and method from the physical and
biological sciences and from the social
science.
The study of humanities is devoted to
understanding the different phenomena
within the human cultural contexts.
Humanities studies how people process and
document the human experience using
philosophy, religion, literature, art, and
history as their way of understanding and
recording the world.
Humanities studies how individuals’ manner
of expression varies as they record human
experiences and how the way of
documenting these forms a connection
between and among humans in the past,
present, and future.
Fundamentals Principles of Humanities
The following are identified
fundamental principles of Humanities
which are used as guides for a better
understanding of life and man’s
existence.
Human nature is inherently good.
Individuals are free and are capable
of making choices.
Human potential for growth and
development is virtually unlimited.
Self-concept plays an important role
in growth and development.
Individuals have an urge for self-
actualization.
Reality is defined by each person.
Individuals have a responsibility to
both themselves and to others.
1. Art Explained
