Amber Perrine Dru Hazelton

My Journey Through Humanities 1100

A sort of knowledge falls under the humanities: critical thinking, creative thinking, selfexpression, self-knowledge, and a heuristic knowledge of our place in history, a heuristic knowledge of our role in "the big picture" of being, ethics, spirituality, social cooperation, and healing. My journey through the humanities has allowed me to do just that. I appreciate that the humanities inspired and intrigued me, while at the same time disgusted and shook my beliefs; continuing to do so. It taught me how the past developed and how it has impacted today's world. The humanities allow people of different cultures to communicate and understand their sometimes common pasts but present differences. It shows how different disciplines affect and complement one another. I learned that by exploring the foundations of aesthetic, ethical, and cultural values and the ways in which they may endure, be challenged, or transformed, it helps us understand and appreciate what distinguishes us as human beings as well as what unites us. Also, the study of humanities is not just a college course, but is ongoing and continual, constantly evolving and shaping ways of life. We discussed several underlying themes throughout Humanities. Some included Freedom, Responsibility, and Justice, War, the Environment/Nature, Religion/Spirituality, and Morality. While discussing Freedom, Responsibility, and Justice, I gained a new grasp on the idea of what real freedom is. The three are a correlation of each other. True individual freedom is living ones life in however one so chooses while knowing the responsibility there is to have

such freedom. It is living without economic restraints, without discrimination or judgment, and without social status. So when we see injustice being done, we have to ask ourselves what course of action we will take. Martin Luther King Jr. realized that even though something is legal, does not mean it falls under the guidelines of justice. He stated, One has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws. We are all responsible for our choices and standing up for what we believe is just. In war, non-violence protest is the only road to freedom. History proves this time and time again. I learned a great deal of the horrors of war as well as the things they carried to cope with war. I learned how important it was to die an honorable death rather than opting out from fighting in the war like Conscientious Objectors did. However, C.O.s did die honorable deaths from the dangerous situations they volunteered to do instead of fighting to contribute to the war. In war, the idea of sacrificing yourself for the good of the team was practiced. Boys would go to war even if they didnt support it just so they wouldnt disappoint their fathers. Also, going to war in the name of God was of upmost importance. I also learned that war affects everyone. It affects men and women even after war is over: psychologically, physically and socially. War is not just about war. Its also about the different aspects of life that are impacted by war such as relationships and who you choose to be if you return. I believe I found out a lot about myself and what I believe in when we talked about religion and spirituality. I enjoyed discussing American Pluralism and how honoring doctrinal differences while promoting mutual understanding through dialogue and collaboration is the priority. Interfaith organizations arent trying to change each other, but celebrating those differences and gaining a sense of unity. I believe this is how religion should be.

Before this course, I didnt have a certain religion that I belonged to. I was baptized Catholic but was never an active one, and in turn, I never was knowledgeable enough to know what religion I should be. Today, I still am not a part of any religion, but I now know that I dont have to be a part of a religion to be a good person. My grandmother is Buddhist and has always given me the advice to live my life fully as long as I am happy. If I had to be of any religion it would be Buddhist because my beliefs are similar. There are usually certain requirements to meet and maintain in order to become part of a religion whereas compared to Buddhism; it is simply a goal alone to find true happiness and enlightenment. Solutions to our problems come from within and not outside. Wisdom should be developed with compassion while cleansing the mind and liberating the soul. Morality, meditation, and wisdom are stepping stones to enlightenment. Morality does not require a person to bring about a better world; rather, a person must simply not make the world any worse. I believe my ultimate journey is to live a fulfilling and happy life while growing from each experience; practice diligently while being ever-mindful. Nature and the environment was a positive turn of discussions from war. From what I learned, I am more aware of how I treat and respect the environment. I have always been an out-doorsy person and the amazing sights to see in nature are an out-of-body experience. There are many breath-taking scenerys in nature that you wouldnt get in the city. So we must treat nature as a sacred art and worship the land. I agree with Thoreaus belief that freedom to adventure upon the real concerns of life comes only after one has reduced his belongings to those things which are absolutely necessary of life. I agree that once out of the economic rat race of society, people will have the leisure and tranquility to study the more important things; meditate, enjoy nature, and begin to create a spiritually rich life.

I learned that exponential growth and over population is the leading cause of environmental decline. Our desire for more is rapidly growing and is inevitable - diets of highly processed foods, desire for bigger houses, better cars, the newest technology, higher levels of debt, and lifestyles devoted to the accumulation of material goods that are non-essential. I learned that making an effort to be informed and educating others is essential to creating a healthier environment. Behavioral changes must take place in order to build a sustainable society. The humanities are more about questions than answers. It allows people to engage, pose more questions, and approach each event or situation open-mindedly. We question what weve been told about the nature of reality, about the purpose of life, and about what it means to be a good person. Because that, for me, is the point of the humanities: they keep us from being trapped by our own desire for certainties. Humanities allowed me to discover and challenge my beliefs, ultimately figuring out who I am as a person. I was glad that this course challenged me to think outside the box and see how different perspectives are created from the same event. This course gave me the opportunity to slow down, to savor, and to feast the mind at leisure on the things that are really important. A firm grasp on humanities will benefit any and all situations in my life forever.