Josh Frantz

Professor Hom
HUM2020
30 April 2018

The Pilgrimage of Humanities 2020

Philosopher Ralph Emerson said “It’s not about the destination; it’s about the journey.”

Reflecting back on the time I spent in this class, this quote sums up my attitude towards the

course. I originally took this class with my only goal being to pass, but as I sit and remember all I

learned, I believe I left the classroom with something more than just a grade. Professor Hom

expressed the importance of intelligent thinking and the possibility to achieve that through the

humanities. The reading log that inspired me the most was the speech by Ibram X. Kendi to the

graduating UF class of 2016 where he prompted graduates to question what they know and to not

be satisfied with what they know and seek out new information (UF Grads, 2016). This lesson

helped me to question my own beliefs with logic and I felt it prepared me for the rest of the

course.

Humanities is the broad study of the ways in which people from different cultures and

backgrounds document their experiences of being human. The branches of humanities

include: history, philosophy, literature, religion, art, music, and language (Intro to Hum).

Whether a person was born 1000 years ago or 20, we all experience the same feelings such as

joy, rage, love, etc. The Humanities can help people learn about experiences in the past to make

a better future for themselves. We should study the humanities because they can lay down a

foundation for higher thinking and benefit myself and society as a whole. I used to believe the

humanities were for those who didn’t take their studies seriously and had no life goals. After
taking this course it couldn’t be anymore the contrary. People in the STEM workforce utilize the

left side of their brain for logic, science, math, and analytical thought. People in the humanities

use the right side of the brain that uses creativity, intuition, and insight. Just like how Yin and

Yang in Taoism says the world is a balance of two opposite forces, the humanities and STEM

groups must exist together and one can’t survive with ought the other (Lao Tzu, 2014).

Fig. 1. Yin Yang (Yin Yang, 2018) Fig. 2. Left vs right side of brain (Speak, 2014)

In ancient times, a liberal education was reserved for the wealthiest families. The word

liberal comes from the Latin word liber, which translates to ‘free man’ (Liberal.) A liberal

education was used to free the mind from our default way of thinking. Its an approach to prepare

students to develop critical thinking and problems solving skills which creates an open-minded

and socially responsible adult. Although it was considered a luxury in ancient times, modern-day

liberal education is laughable with funding going down and the cost of a college education

skyrocketing. A career in the liberal arts means a mountain of debt from college while making

minimum wage and is looked down upon as a legit career. A career in the liberal arts isn’t the

best decision, but a liberal education isn’t totally worthless. Being in the workforce for five

years, I have found that managers prefer average employees with critical thinking and problems

solving skills over someone that’s a great employee with no extra skills. In the AAC&U 2015
employer survey, almost half of employers prefer a graduate with a wide range of knowledge and

skills over a graduate with only a specific set of knowledge and skills (Hart, 2015). After taking

this class I now believe the purpose of a liberal education is use the principles it teaches like

critical thinking, problem solving, open-minded, etc… in your daily life to make yourself an

intellectual.

My favorite Good Life topic was on the Eastern Philosophies. What caught my interest

was the common theme of looking inward to find oneself and the emphasis on nature. The

teaching of Buddha for example said a simple lifestyle with no luxuries can cultivate compassion

and help one reach enlightenment. He also taught that people can reach enlightenment by

changing their perspective on life rather than change our circumstances (The Buddha, 2014).

This sounds very ignorant but I used to think Buddhism was created to attract poor people with

no luxuries to join, but now I believe it’s for everyone seeking to reach enlightenment whether

rich or poor. Buddha lived a rich and luxurious life before he discovered Nirvana and him having

live both sides of the social class spectrum yet still choosing the modest lifestyle says to me

money can’t buy happiness and we should strive for riches of the mind, and not riches of the

flesh. The reason I like eastern philosophies more than western is because western philosophers

were very textbook with their teachings and basically gave a list of things to do to reach a good

life. Eastern philosophers on the other hand taught to be one with nature (Wabi Sabi) and to find

the answer of a good life within yourself.

The most impactful Good life topic was ‘Happiness and a Good Life’ with Dalai Lama,

Professor Bloom’s lecture, and Emily Smith’s “More to Life Than Being Happy.” The module
about the different philosophies was very informative and I enjoyed reading it, but these articles

showed those teachings into play with real world situations. What I loved about the Dalai Lama

at the ski resort was his positive perspective on life. When he fell in the snow, he was

immediately in laughter instead of annoyance (14th Dalai Lama). This attitude is what I strive to

achieve in life and if I do reach the level his perspective on life is, I believe I will have a good

life. Another impactful topic was the final video on Alberto Alonso because of the impact he had

on others by doing what he loved (Dance of my Heart, 2007). Professor Hom asked the class if

Alberto lived a good life and I believe it’s not possible to determine based off an hour-long

video, but I do believe he lived a meaningful life. A meaningful life to me has significance,

worthwhile, and a sincere purpose. All of Alberto’s life he danced and choreographed which was

he passion and he died doing what he loved. To continue with your passion until you pass away

means you lived a meaningful life, and in my eyes a good life.

This is only class where I have left as a better person. Professor Hom helped expand my

narrow-minded viewpoints and to really think like an intellectual. I expected this class to be an

easy A so I can get the credit and move on with my life, but the more time I put into my work,

the more I got out of the lessons. I felt a connection with Buddhism and Taoism with their

emphasis on nature and improving your mind, rather than luxuries. I never thought I would say

this, being an Accounting major, but this was one of my favorite classes I have ever taken. My

final thoughts are to thank Professor Hom for the effort he puts into the class with reading our

poorly written reading logs and essays, as well as making the class both enjoyable and a learning

experience.
 Works Cited

Associates, Hart Research. “College Learning and Career Success.” Falling Short? College

Learning and Career Success,

www.aacu.org/sites/default/files/files/LEAP/2015employerstudentsurvey.pdf (Links to an

external site.)Links to an external site..

Dance of My Heart.

courses.sfcollege.edu/courses/362698/files/29327420?module_item_id=7689987.

“Introduction.” Introduction to the Humanities,

www.anthrocervone.org/introtohumanities/introduction/.

“National Book Award Winner Addresses UF Doctoral Grads.” 12 - National Book Award

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news.ufl.edu/articles/2016/12/national-book-award-winner-addresses-uf-doctoral-

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Preston, Douglas. “I Took the Dalai Lama to a Ski Resort and He Told Me the Meaning of Life.”

Slate Magazine, 26 Feb. 2014,

http://www.slate.com/articles/life/culturebox/2014/02/dalai_lama_at_a_santa_fe_ski_reso

rt_tells_waitress_the_meaning_of_life.html (Links to an external site.)

schooloflifechannel. “HISTORY OF IDEAS - Wabi-Sabi.” YouTube, YouTube, 4 Dec. 2015,

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmHLYhxYVjA.

schooloflifechannel. “EASTERN PHILOSOPHY - The Buddha.” YouTube, YouTube, 14 Nov.

2014, www.youtube.com/watch?v=tilBs32zN7I (Links to an external site.)

schooloflifechannel. “EASTERN PHILOSOPHY - Lao Tzu.” YouTube, YouTube, 21 Nov.

2014, www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFb7Hxva5rg.\ (Links to an external site.)

Speak! “Blog Posts From Speak!” Pinterest, 21 Mar. 2014,

www.pinterest.com/pin/208502657722703180/.

“The Heart of the Matter.” Vimeo, 10 Jan. 2018, vimeo.com/68662447.

“Yin and Yang.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 30 Apr. 2018,

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yin_and_yang.