Simmons urges 'forceful engagement' by humanists

The humanities are "central to any way of thinking about the human race," President Ruth Simmons told a filled Smith-Buonanno 106 last night, urging the "forceful engagement" by humanists in a broad array of disciplines.

Simmons' speech was the Inaugural Invitational Lecture in the Humanities, organized by the Cogut Center for the Humanities with the aim of allowing the Brown community to learn from prominent University faculty - many of whom may speak more often away from Brown than on campus.

Simmons "was an obvious choice" for the inaugural lecture, said Michael Steinberg, director of the Cogut Center. He added that Simmons is a "distinguished humanist" with University appointments in Africana studies and comparative literature.

Simmons called the humanities "the foundation" for other academic fields. Science and technology cannot advance without the humanities, she said, adding that "you have to walk before you can run."

Humanists continue to come under fire for holding values "at odds" with those of the public and often respond to this criticism by turning inward, Simmons said. Whenever there are breakthroughs in science, humanists are "singled out" as not contributing, she said.

But, Simmons said, humanists can and should contribute to finding solutions to all the questions individuals face today, whether relating to the environment, ethics or international affairs. She stressed that humanities should be at the center of public debates and conversations.

"Whatever the setting, we have to believe that we belong there and have something to offer," she said.

Throughout her education, Simmons said, people tried to dissuade her from studying the humanities, urging her to pursue something "constructive" and "practically oriented." But Simmons said it is important for educators to understand that the skills and knowledge people gain from the humanities "will overwhelmingly level the playing field" for them.

Simmons said universities should be responsible for identifying the values shaped and nurtured by the humanities. Universities must support efforts that put "a positive light on the role of humanists in problem solving" and must stop making apologies for the theoretical and aesthetic work of humanists, she said. Simmons also underscored the importance of applied work in the humanities, calling this "the highest priority for the next decade."

"In a world where one is concerned about poverty, vast income disparities, the shrinking ice caps, the sheer velocity of change, the disappearance of all sorts of borders," Simmons said, "We must ask - how will the humanities matter, and perhaps more importantly, how can we convince the world that investment in the humanities is practical?"

In the question-and-answer session following her speech, Simmons stressed the importance of advising in encouraging students to pursue the humanities. The University must "take advising very seriously," she said, and should ensure there are people in advising capacities who can explain to students what they can do with degrees in the humanities.

Simmons also encouraged those in the humanities to keep asking for more resources.

"It's important not to say, 'Okay, that's enough, we don't require as much as other disciplines,' " she said.

Simmons said the Cogut Center, which launched in 2003, should play an important role in advancing the idea that humanists have much to add to the practical problems of today's world. But broadening the role of humanists should be a goal for academics everywhere, she said.

"The world is starved for what the humanities can bring to public life," Simmons said. "And there is no place that can advance the general principles of humanities better than universities."