research and publication: collaborative research in academic journals
the humanities were primarily a European and North American endeavor until two centuries ago, today it’s globally expanded
philosophical framework
contribute to society’s normative, socio-epistemic framework by investigating and interpreting human culture, history, expression.
their epistemological and methodological distinctiveness lies in reliance on interpretative, historical and critical methods to analyze human culture and knowledge
global and local dimensions
localized emphases: American history, French literature — reflect regional cultural and academic priorities
engagement with societal debates: humanities research often addresses national and regional issues, contributes to societal understanding and cultural discourse
contemporary challenges to humanities
declining enrollment
funding issues
societal perceptions of their relevance
the roots and the rise
keywords: antiquity to middle ages, philosophical reflection, historical awareness
definition of the term the humanities → disciplines study human culture, history, society, experience (literature, philosophy, anthropology, archeology, art, music, languages)
where and how is it practiced? globally within institutions (universities, libraries, museums); research, teaching, writing, curating, public outreach, artifacts, historical records
philosophical rationale for historical exploration
historical awareness allows scholars to comprehend their discipline’s position within a broader cultural and intellectual tradition
in antiquity
the roots lie in ancient Greece and Rome — disciplines like philology and historiography
philological study of homer
Iliad and Odyssey were central to ancient Greek culture
early scholars developed techniques for textual analysis to preserve and interpret these works
the library of alexandria became a hub for philological activity
Aristarchus of Samothrace produced critical editions of Homer’s texts
thucydides - history of the peloponnesian war
groundbreaking shift in historiography
emphasized empirical evidence, eyewitness, accounts, and critical evaluation of sources
moving away from mythological explanations
analyzing patterns of human behavior and motivations → influential on political science and ethics
cicero and the concept of humanitas
this concept encompasses cultural refinements, education, moral virtue
“well rounded individual” — classical texts, personal development
groundwork for Renaissance humanism
the middle ages: institutionalisation of learning
monasteries as centers of learning
preserved ancient texts through scriptoria → monks copying manuscripts → survival of classical works (Aristotle, Cicero)
emphasized literacy and religious study
cathedral school and the artes liberales
trivium: grammar, rhetoric, logic
quadrivium: arithmetic, geometry, music, astronomy → foundation for understanding the natural world
the curriculum combined classical traditions with christian theology (faith & reason)
the rise of universities
Bologna, Paris, Oxford emerged in 12th and 13th centuries
formalized education and research
they built upon the foundation of Artes Liberales and expanded to new fields (law, medicine, theology)
historicization and authentication
practice of historicization involves
analyzing objects, texts, concepts within their historical and developmental contexts
determining the origins, authenticity, transformations of objects or ideas over time
“what, why, when and how?”
accurate representation through critical evaluation and methodological rigor
two axes of self-reflection
horizontal / synchronic: examining contemporary connections and differences among humanities disciplines and other fields like natural sciences
general understanding (başka disiplinlere bakıp, bağlantılara, interdisipliner olanaklara bakıyoruz daha çok)
vertical / diachronic: investigating the historical development of humanities practices, institutions, and ideals to understand their present significance
deepening (geçmişe gidip, kendi disiplinimize bakıyoruz, bugünle geçmişi karşılaştırıyoruz daha çok)
expansion and institutionalization (renaissance → enlightenment)
the renaissance: intellectual and cultural rebirth
14th to 17th centuries — a revival of interest in classical antiquity
ad fontes (to the sources): commitment to revisiting classical texts in their original languages — textual accuracy and historical understanding
humanist scholarship: erasmus of rotterdam, lorenzo valla — critical editions of classical texts, development of philosophical techniques, influencing modern humanities
cultural flourishing: individual expression and artistic achievement → innovations in visual arts, architecture, literature
the enlightenments: the age of critique
17th to 18th century — methodological rigor and philosophical depth to humanities
critical thinking: emphasized reason, empirical inquiry, questioning of established norms → reshaping disciplines like history and philosophy
systematization of knowledge: “encyclopedie” aimed to compile and categorize human knowledge → commitment to intellectual accessibility
historical criticism: development of critical historiography, emphasizing primary sources, contextual analysis, skepticism towards traditional narratives
key themes and methodologies
historicization: contextualization of objects, texts and practices within their historical frameworks
determining origins and authenticity
analyzing transformations over time
exploring cultural and intellectual continuities and ruptures
interdisciplinary connections: intersect with natural and social sciences, sharing methodologies while maintaining distinct epistemological goals
archaeology integrates scientific techniques to analyze artifacts
linguistic applies computational tools for language modelling
ethical and intellectual virtues: critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to truth
impact on n-modern society
cultural preservation: archives, libraries, museums safeguard cultural heritage
public engagement: humanities disciplines address pressing societal issues, such as identity, ethics, historical memory — public discourse and policymaking
global perspective
connections and demarcations: humanities within the academic system
keywords: role of the humanities within academic system, connections and distinctions with natural, social, formal sciences
understanding the place of humanities within system requires:
analyzing their shared and distinct epistemological approaches
examining their methodological differences and areas of interdisciplinary overlap
reflecting on the unique role in shaping cultural, historical and ethical understanding
connections with the natural sciences
commitment to truth and knowledge: both seek to acquire reliable knowledge. natural sciences rely on empirical observation and experimentation, the humanities emphasize interpretative analysis.
historical interactions: humanities and natural sciences have historically intersected in some disciplines (archeology, art conservation)
humanistic dimensions of science: ethical considerations, historical context, philosophy of science, study of ethical implications of technology relies on humanities perspective
distinctions from the natural sciences
methodology: humanities — qualitative methods vs natural sciences — quantitative and empirical methods
object of study: humanities — human expression, culture, history vs natural sciences — physical and biological phenomena
truth and interpretation: humanities — interpretation, ambiguity, pluralism vs natural sciences — testable and falisfiable
connections with the social sciences
social sciences occupy a middle ground between humanities and natural sciences, shares characteristics with both
common ground: both humanities and social sciences study human behavior, culture, society
methodological overlap: disciplines like anthropology and cultural studies use qualitative, interpretative methods (although sociology and political science can also be quantitative)
conceptual influences: theoretical frameworks in the social sciences often draw from humanities disciplines (philosophy, history, literary studies)
distinctions from the social sciences
focus on interpretation: the humanities prioritize interpretative and historical methods, social sciences also uses statistical and experimental techniques
nature of inquiry: humanities deals with meaning, aesthetics, ethicsvs social sciences patterns and casuality in human behavior
formal sciences and engineering sciences
formal sciences
abstract reasoning, axiomatic systems and logical deduction, rather than empirical investigation or interpretative analysis
interdisciplinary contributions — formal sciences influence humanities, such as linguistic analysis, computational humanities, logic in philosophy
engineering sciences
engineering increasingly incorporates ethical, aesthetic and cultural considerations from the humanities
integration of computational methods into humanities research
why academic disciplines are categorized in specific ways?
historical development: the tripartite division of academia into humanities, natural sciences, social sciences emerged in the 19th century
normative considerations: the classification of disciplines reflects institutional and epistemic priorities, they are not absolute distinctions
interdisciplinary perspectives: rigid boundaries between disciplines are increasingly challenged by interdisciplinary research
expansion and institutionalization (enlightenment → 19th century)
the enlightenment and the humanities
emphasis on reason and critical thinking: commitment to reason, skepticism towards traditional dogma, reliance on empirical methods → more systematic and analytical engagements with texts and sources
encyclopedic knowledge and systematization: scholars tried to compile, categorize, systematize human knowledge. Diderot’s and d’Alembert’s Encyclopedie
secularization of biblical studies: historical critical methods applied to religious texts, questioning the traditional theological interpretations
Johann Gottfried Herder (culturally inclusive guy)
advocated for less rigid and more culturally sensitive approach to the humanities
challenging universal rationalism: while many Enlightenment thinkers emphasized universal reason, Herder argued that human thought and culture are deeply embedded in historical and linguistic contexts.
cultural relativism: every culture has its own unique value system, countering Eurocentric tendencies of time
development of historical understanding: he influenced “historicism” — interpreting cultural and intellectual traditions within their historical circumstances
the rise of scholarly historicism
understanding cultural and intellectual phenomena within their historical contexts.
Wilhelm von Humboldt: a philosopher, linguist, and educational reformer / universities should focus on pursuit of knowledge and intellectual inquiry rather than beruflich training
Daniel Ernst Schleiermacher: a theologian and philosopher / applied hermenuetical methods to biblical texts, need to interpret works within their historical and linguistic frameworks
August Boeckh: a philologist / works on classical antiquity → methodological foundations of the humanities
Wilhelm Dilthey: a philosopher / systematized the epistemology of the humanities → understanding (Verstehen) rather than empirical observation
institutionalization of the humanities in the 19th century
formal establishment of humanities disciplines
the german model of higher education: universities structured curricula to include distinct humanities disciplines, fostering specialization and rigorous academic training
creation of academic departments: fields like history, philology, art history, and philosophy — as distinct areas of study
emergence of research methodologies: methodological rigor, primary source analysis, interdisciplinary collabrotion
humanities and the academic system
humanities became integrated into the broader academic system. this raised questions about:
demarcations between disciplines: how do the humanities differ from and interact with natural and social sciences?
interdisciplinary connections: what methodological and epistemological overlaps exist?
normative and ethical roles: how do the humanities contribute to broader intellectual and cultural discourses?
the humanities within the academic system
structural and conceptual foundations of the humanities
interconnectedness of intellectual, ethical, methodological, institutional aspects of humanities scholarship
four pillars of humanities work
intellectual pillar: the production of knowledge through interpretation, analysis, critical reflection
ethical pillar: the cultivation of virtues such as fairness, open-mindedness, respect for diverse perspectives
methodological pillar: the development and refinement of reliable research methods suited for humanistic inquiry
institutional pillar: the organizational framework that includes universities, research institutions, archives, libraries, scholarly publications
these are interconnected: reliable methods require ethical intellectual conduct, and institutional structures must support methodological rigor and the free pursuit of knowledge
the role of academic institutions
universities and colleges
research institutes
libraries and archives
journals and conferences
institutions alone are insufficient to sustain the humanities. they must be accompanied by an intellectual culture that values curiosity, critical thinking and truth-seeking
humanities and the broader academic system
natural sciences: focused on empirical observation and experimentation, differing from the humanities’ interpretative and critical methodologies
social sciences: overlapping in their study of human behavior and society but often employing quantitative and statistical methods
formal sciences: based on abstract reasoning and axiomatic systems, contributing to disciplines such as linguistic analysis and digital humanities
engineering sciences: engaging with ethical and aesthetic questions in fields like design, architecture, and technology studies
ohne institutional frameworks = no continuity and impact of scholarship
historical universalism, cultural pluralism
historical universalism: treating all cultural traditions and historical periods ad equally worth of study
scholars must set aside personal, political, religious biases to engage with history objectively
cultural pluralism: values coexistence of diverse traditions and worldviews
Johann Gottfried Herder’s intellectual legacy played a key role in linking historical universalism with cultural pluralism
friedrich schleiermacher: the foundations of hermenuetics
Schleiermacher was a philosopher and theologian
general hermenuetics: unlike earlier traditions, interpretation applies not only to religious or legal texts, but to all forms of discourse
intentionalism and contextualism: understanding a text requires reconstructing the author’s intentions and considering the linguistic and historical context
grammatical and psychological interpretation:
grammatical: analyzes language use, syntax, vocabulary within historical context
psychological: reconstructing author’s thoughts and motivations
the hermeneutic circle: understanding the whole requires understanding the parts, and vice versa — gestalt — fundamental in the humanities
“an interpreter can understand an author’s work even better than the author himself” — cornerstone of textual analysis
august boeckh: the science of antiquity and interdisciplinarity
Boeckh was one of the most influential classical philologists of the 19th century
founding the philological seminar at the university of berlin
encouraging interdisciplinary: expanded philology beyond textual criticism to include history, archaeology, economics, epgraphy
historical reconstruction: “The Public Economy of Athens” (1817)
systematization of philology:
defined philology as the “acquiring of knowledge of the known”
rigorous specialization must be complemented by interdisciplinary collaboration
leopord von ranke: the birth of modern historiography
father of modern historical scholarship
primary source-based history: use of archival documents and firsthand accounts, original sources over secondary interpretations
objective historiography: “to show how it actually was” — emphasises empirical accuracy; unbiased, non-judgemental approach to history
professionalization of history: established research methodologies at the Uni Berlin; trained a generation of historians
johann gustav droysen: understanding history through research
Contributed to the philosophy of history
forschendes verstehen (understanding through research):
historians not only collect facts, but also interpret their significance
understanding requires active engagement with sources and historical reconstruction
rejection of deterministic history: unlike Hegel, Droysen saw history as a dynamic and contingent process rather than a predetermined unfolding of events
influence on hermenuetics: history is not a fixed record but a subject of continuous interpretation
the humanities and the natural sciences: connections and differences
wilhelm windelband and heinrich rickert:
humanities focus on individualizing knowledge, while the sciences seek general laws
wilhelm dilthey: humanities require interpretative methods, distinct from empirical sciences
methods:
natural sciences rely on quantitative data and experiments
humanities prioritize qualitative interpretation and historical context
epistemological goals:
sciences seek universal laws
humanities seek to understand unique cultural and historical phenomena
interdisciplinary interactions:
the humanities contribute ethical, historical, and critical perspectives to scientific debates
humanities and the sciences: commonalities, differences, and justifications
commonalities between the humanities and the sciences
truth-seeking: both aim to expand knowledge and understand reality
systematic inquiry: rely on rigorous methods to produce reliable knowledge
interdisciplinary integration: both fields benefit from collaborations that merge empirical data with interpretative analysis
differences between the humanities and the sciences
methods of inquiry:
natural sciences rely on empirical observation, experimentation, quantitative analysis
humanities realy on qualitative interpretation, historical analysis, textual exegesis
nature of knowledge:
scientific knowledge often seeks generalizable, universal laws
humanities knowledge focuses on contextual, historically contingent, and interpretative understanding
verification and falification:
science relies on testability and falsifiability
humanities interpretations are judged by their coherence, plausibility, and critical discourse
patterns of justification in the humanities
historical and cultural contextualization: providing insight into the development of ideas, values, and traditions
ethical and critical reflection: offering normative frameworks for evaluating human actions, policies, and technologies
preservation and interpretation of knowledge: keeps historical and literary texts remain accessible and meaningful
public engagement and societal impact: contributing to public discourse on identity, justice, cultural memory
the humanities in the digital age
computational analysis: employ big data, text mining, ai-assisted research
interdisciplinary collaborations: the integration of humanities with STEM fields, find new methodologies and paradigms
ethical oversight of tech: societal implications of ai, biotechnology, digital surveillance
interactive review sessions
What is hermeneutics?
Hermeneutics is the theory and practice of understanding texts (or any other symbolic expression as a result of human activity, e.g. works of art) through interpretation. It involves the study of principles and methods for determining the features and meanings of the objects in question.
In addition to thematically specialized hermeneutics related to specific types of texts (e.g., biblical and legal hermeneutics) or cultural artifacts (e.g., image hermeneutics), there has been, most notably since Schleiermacher, general hermeneutics aiming to explain the most fundamental principles and procedures of interpretive processes that lead to understanding written texts or spoken utterances or any other form of symbolic expression.
Connection to Schleiermacher and Droysen: Friedrich Schleiermacher significantly contributed to general hermeneutics by developing principles of grammatical and psychological interpretation. Johann Gustav Droysen, in turn, expanded hermeneutics within historiography by emphasizing Verstehen (understanding) as a methodological approach distinct from Erklären (explanation) in the natural sciences.
Relation to the Humanities vs. Natural Sciences Debate: The distinction between interpretative and empirical methodologies was explored, reinforcing hermeneutics as a defining feature of humanities.
What is intentionalism in Hermenuetics?
Intentionalism in hermenuetics emphasizes the importance and, in fact, the necessity of understanding any text with regard to its author’s (or creator’s) intended meaning or purpose.
Intentionalism posits that textual or artifactual realized intentions play a decisive role in determining meaning or function.
Relation to Ranke’s Historical Objectivity: Leopold von Ranke’s historiographical method, emphasized the role of primary sources in reconstructing past realities as they actually were. While this aligns with intentionalist efforts to access the original meaning of texts, it also raises epistemological challenges regarding the subjectivity of interpretation.
Philosophical Expansion: Wilhelm Dilthey later refined this perspective by arguing that humanistic interpretation must account for both subjective expression and the broader cultural context.
What is contextualism?
an interpretative approach that emphasizes understanding a text within both its author’s biographical and the broader historical, cultural, and social context of production and initial reception.
Meaning of a particular text is deeply influenced by the surrounding circumstances, including language, the intellectual and cultural milieu, historical events, and societal norms, which shaped the author’s intentions and the original audience’s reception.
Relation to Boeckh’s Philological Methodology: August Boeckh argued that philology is more than textual analysis — it must integrate historical, linguistic, and socio-political contexts to fully reconstruct meaning.
Interdisciplinary Relevance
What is specialization?
Deliberate process of continuously focusing on a specific area of study, expertise, or skill, standardly resulting in in-depth knowledge and methodical proficiency within that particular domain.
Institutionalization of the Humanities: The development of specialized academic disciplines in the 19th century, enabled deeper inquiry into specific humanities fields, from philology to art history.
Ranke’s Influence: The professionalization of historiography under Ranke exemplifies specialisation through rigorous archival research and methodological precision.
What is interdisciplinarity?
Interdisciplinarity involves the integration of knowledge, methods, and approaches from multiple disciplines to adress the complex research topics. Int emphasized collaboration among experts specialized in different fields to achieve a comprehensive understanding of scientific or scholarly question related to those topics.
Relation to the Humanities’ Expansion: The humanities have increasingly intersected with the social and natural sciences, creating interdisciplinary fields such as digital humanities, bioethics, and cognitive linguistics.
Boeck’s Model of Classical Philology: Boeckh advocated for an interdisciplinary approach to antiquity, combining history, literature, economics, and philosophy.
How do specialization and interdisciplinarity interrelate in scholarly activities?
Interdisciplinarity enhances the depth and breadth of scholarly inquiries by drawing on diverse specializations and pertinent methodologies.
Specialization, guarantees that the research questions and results that enter interdisciplinary work are sound and solid, even in minute or highly complex details of subject matter.
Enlightenment and Systematization of Knowledge: The Enlightenment’s encyclopedic efforts highlight how specialization and interdisciplinary inquiry have historically coexisted.