The uses of the humanities

Stanley Fish wrote these two articles on whether the humanities are useful. His answer is no. Art is an end in itself; the only good that can genuinely be expected from great literature is a wow, admiration of a word well written. It has no relationship to life.

http://fish.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/06/will-the-humanities-save-us/

http://fish.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/13/the-uses-of-the-humanities-part-two/?8ty&emc=ty

Seriously depressing. I recommend Fujimura on Van Gogh's letters as an antidote.

I can't resist the opportunity to share a couple of my own thoughts, though. Fish is a smart, educated, forceful critic who sees a lot and expresses himself clearly. If he and I were to debate--well, anything--he'd win.

But I think Dr. Hake is right. The humanities without Christ are worthless. But oh--if you have the Lord Jesus--then art is worth its keep.

EDIT: Dr. Veith also had up a post on Fish's articles. He goes at it slightly differently, but it's also good.