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Abstract

This article criticises the growing tendency to justify the humanities only in economic terms. It can be shown that liberal studies are indispensable to a global world. The argument is spelled out by reference to five different forms of knowledge that the humanities help to cultivate. They look for (1) a cultivation of perception and (2) a cultivation of memory. They care for (3) a cultivation of judgement that culminates in enlightenment, and (4) within the cultivation of memory they look for anamnestic justice. Finally, (5) they contribute to debates about orientation and meaning. These different, not only propositional forms of knowledge or epistemic abilities are illustrated by various examples of literature and philosophy.

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The Liberal Studies in a Global World

Abstract

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