Case for the Humanities

Eric Touya de Marenne received his Ph.D. in Romance Languages and Literatures at the University of Chicago and he is currently Associate Professor of French at Clemson University. He is the author of Musique et poétique à l’âge du symbolisme (Paris: L’Harmattan, 2005), French-American Relations: Remembering D-Day after September 11 (University Press of America, 2008) and Francophone Women Writers: Feminisms, Postcolonialisms, Cross-Cultures (Lexington Books Publishing, 2011).

• PrefaceIntroductionThe Humanities at RiskDisconnections: Theory, Society, PoliticsThe Limits of Anti-Foundationalism and Anti-HumanismThe End of Democracy?Pedagogical and Interdisciplinary PerspectivesAfter the Postmodern/Post-human?The Case for the HumanitiesChapter 1: The Humanities in the CityPolity and Pedagogy: Beyond RelativityPublic School, Music, and CitizenshipSeneca and the Necessity of VirtueStudia Humanitatis and RealpolitikCultivating Alterity The Postmodern and Utilitarian ChallengeBeyond Borders: Bettering HumanityChapter 2: Humanizing EconomicsThe Market and Liberal EducationUncovering the Rhetoric of EconomicsHistoricism, Narrative, EmpathyQuestioning Homo EconomicusGlobalization with a Human FaceChapter 3: Searching for STEM’s TelosThe Limits of ScienceDa Vinci’s Hostinato RigoreDeciphering Einstein’s Interdisciplinary MindToward a Poetics of the UniverseJonas’ Ethics of ResponsibilityA Liberal Arts’ Pedagogy for Technology?The Challenges of Transhumanism/PosthumanismChapter 4: Transcendent HumanitiesTransmitting HeritageBibliotherapy and Healing Humanities Remembering AuschwitzRwanda and Multidirectional MemoriesToward Empathy and MeaningWomen Transcending MarginsContrapuntal ReadingsBibliographyAbout the Author

This book is timely and innovative in addressing a longstanding debate about the usefulness of the study of the humanities in an increasingly science-driven world. As a professor of French and author of a number of other books with an interdisciplinary orientation, Touya (Clemson Univ.) is well positioned for this ambitious task. An introductory chapter argues that the humanities are important for infusing policy issues with ethical awareness and sound critical thinking. Chapter 1, ‘The Humanities in the City,’ builds on the thesis by focusing on how the humanities positively infuse and orient the social sciences and science. Chapter 2, ‘Humanizing Economics,’ shows that the study of economics is enhanced by a human-centered approach. Chapter 3, ‘Searching for STEM’s Telos,’ advances the case further by arguing that the role of the humanities is fundamental to define the limits and purpose of science and technology. Chapter 4, ‘Transcendent Humanities,’ concludes the argument by showing through examples that the humanities contribute to the understanding of key policy issues.Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels.