Page 20 - Zenith2024

Zenith 2024

An Era in which Humanistic Insight is Crucial

The recent U.S. presidential election has shocked millions of people all around the world. The
decision to elect Donald Trump as the President of the United States yet again has left people
wondering, “how is it possible? How could Americans, after watching him for the disastrous first term,
choose to make him the president once again?” It has been a rather chaotic past few years. We have
seen so many unsettling events unfold globally; Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Israel’s ongoing war
with Hamas and now, the surprising outcome of the U.S. election. Witnessing these complicating and
bizarre events raises a more serious question; “Are we, as a human race heading toward the right
direction? Are we truly thinking things through?”

The Korean verb “사유하다” has two meanings according to the Standard Korean Language Dictionary:
1) To consider an object or topic from various perspectives. 2) To engage in rational thought
processes, such as conceptualizing, structuring, judging, and reasoning as part of human intellectual
activity. While there may not be a direct English equivalent, the term ‘contemplation’ comes close.
Contemplation is essential in making informed and insightful decisions. Without this capacity for
reflection, people are left vulnerable to populism, rhetoric and fearful narratives. Here, another
question arises. How do we develop the ability to contemplate, to self-examine, to see beyond the
immediate gratification and pleasure?
This is where the Humanities plays a crucial role. Insights derived from the humanities (philosophy,
literature, and history) can be invaluable when we face important decisions to make. Through the
humanistic insights, we gain perspectives that challenge us to think more critically, question our
assumptions and develop a nuanced understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
In today’s fast-paced world, deep contemplation is becoming increasingly rare. Social media, 24-
hour news cycles, and the emphasis on instant gratification all encourages us to respond quickly,
sometimes without considering the implications of our actions. This environment pushes us to value
immediate reactions over thoughtful consideration. It’s no wonder that meaningful reflection is often
overlooked and as a result, we may not fully recognize the consequences of our choices.

This lack of humanistic insight has real life consequences. When society loses the ability to think
deeply, it becomes vulnerable to harmful decision-making, both at individual and collective levels.
Leaders may chase short-term goals or popularity, prioritizing temporary success over sustainable
growth. Individuals too may adopt beliefs or follow trends without truly understanding their
implications. In such a world, the pursuit of wisdom and ethical reasoning fades, replaced by a focus
on personal gain and momentary satisfaction.

Here is where the humanities – fields like literature, philosophy, and history play a vital role. These
disciplines teach us to see life through different perspectives and to ask fundamental questions
about what it means to be human. Literature invites us to step into others’ lives, fostering empathy
by allowing us to experience worlds beyond our own. Philosophy challenges us to question, to reason,
and to seek deeper meaning rather than accepting things at face value. History reminds us of past

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