Neither are the humanistic scholars and artists of any…
““Neither are the humanistic scholars and artists of any great help these days. They used to be, and were supposed to be, as a group, carriers of and teachers of the eternal verities and the higher life. The goal of humanistic studies was defined as the perception and knowledge of the good, the beautiful, and the true. Such studies were expected to refine the discrimination between what is excellent and what is not (excellence generally being understood to be the true, the good, and the beautiful). They were supposed to inspire the student to the better life, to the higher life, to goodness and virtue. What was truly valuable, Matthew Arnold said, was 'the acquainting ourselves with the best that has been known and said in the world.' [...] No, it is quite clear from our experience of the last fifty years or so that the pre-1914 certainties of the humanists, of the artists, of the dramatists and poets, of the philosophers, of the critics, and of those who are generally inner-directed have given way to a chaos of relativism. No one of these people now knows how and what to choose, nor does he know how to defend and validate his choice.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Humanistic scholars once guided society toward timeless truths, but modern relativism has eroded their authority, leaving people uncertain about values and choices.
In simple terms: Humanists used to teach timeless values; now relativism creates uncertainty.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the loss of clear moral guidance and seek personal standards.
Themes
education
humanism
relativism
values
certainty
Mood
reflective
concerned
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- university curricula
- public discourse
- personal decision making
- art criticism
- media analysis
Key Concepts
philosophy
cultural criticism
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we develop personal values in a relativistic age?
- What role should education play in restoring shared standards?
A Different Perspective
Even without humanists, individuals can still construct meaning through critical thinking.