Got Values?

My Plea to Bring Back Western Civilization and Humanities Courses

Photo by Anton Kosolapov on Unsplash

Western civilization and humanities courses used to be mandatory at all liberal arts colleges. History, philosophy, the birth of democracy, law, languages, math, science, art, literature, and theater help us understand cultures and draw on the wisdom of those who came before us in creating our American nation. Yet, sadly, these courses have been replaced by woke ideology of our current times. Without wisdom and reflection, there is no meaningful future. Instead, society will be left with empty-headed community activists rather than deep thinkers and leaders.

History is inclusive of prehistoric man and his cave paintings. But Western civilization begins with the ancient cultures whose writings help us understand the societal and political natures of various areas. For example, Ancient Egypt gave us papyrus and ink, hieroglyphics, and architectural engineering feats. Ancient Greece gave us democracy, philosophy, mythology, theater, and its own style of art and architecture. The Roman Empire took, literally, the best of both and made progress on what these two civilizations already started in areas of art, architecture, and added sanitation before its fall. We also see in these times burgeoning economics and military might. Plus we have the influence of the birth and death of Jesus, as well as the apostles’ spread of Christianity.

Through Western study our Founders saw what worked and what didn’t to create the United States. They were well versed in philosophy, history, Judeo-Christian principles, and culture; and, throughout our history, youths were educated in the Classics and learned to think concretely, logically, and analytically. Can we say the same of our youths today?

In addition to Western civilization study, humanities and Classic literature should be a key component in modern education. For, it is through classics that morals and values are on full display. We can tell children how to behave, but a character can show them how to do so.

This is why Greek literature was so important to its citizens. Homer’s The Odyssey depicts King of Ithaca and soldier Odysseus and his fleet trying to return home after the protracted Trojan War. Who can’t relate to a group of tired soldiers wanting to come home to family, friends, and country? But, what should have been an easy route becomes filled with obstacles ranging from angry gods to sirens, who pull Odysseus and his men off course. The Odyssey is akin to a modern day soap opera. Just when you think the men are safe, something else happens. A cyclops, sure. A beautiful woman or two, sure. Raging storms, you bet.

Some problems are fate. Some are due to hubris. Some are due to a pleasure seeking Odysseus. And while he is away, his wife Penelope has troubles of her own trying to fend off aggressive men who want her and the throne. Odysseus is extremely intelligent, definitely full of himself, but never gives up on his quest to return home. And Penelope is virtuous and clever as she maneuvers around suiters while awaiting the return of Odysseus—not a small task since it takes him ten years to make it back.

Through Odysseus’s struggles, readers are to gain the values of determination, using your mind to find solutions, inquisitiveness, customs, the value of a good reputation, and fighting heroically. Whether in poetry, song, story, or drama, classics are classics for a reason. Their themes are universal: love, friendship, loyalty, bravery, etc., and the Greeks were master story tellers. They also created theater for the celebrations of the god Dionysus. A tragedy like Oedipus Rex by Sophocles is framed around the premise that no matter how you try to outrun fate, it always catches up to you. The Greeks were big believers in fate and how it deals you a hand that you must live with. Sadly, the eventual fate of Oedipus Rex is that Freud took its most horrific tenet and milked it for his theories on psychology—the Oedipus complex.

For, through twists and turns of fate, unknowingly adopted Oedipus kills his biological father and marries his biological mother, which brings a plague on the citizens of Thebes. In his search for the origins of the plague, he finds out the truth of who he is, what he has done, and the fact of prophecies fulfilled. But upon finding out this ugly circumstance, he doesn’t seek a plea deal or ask for mercy. Instead Oedipus blinds and banishes himself from his kingdom in order to atone for his failings and to bring peace/health back to his subjects.

Ancient Greek theater goers would have already known this tale. However, to see it acted out upon the stage brought about a catharsis—thank you Aristotle— that helped unify the Greek citizenry to their common culture. The release of tears due to the repugnance of the crime and the humility of the criminal were visible on the audience’s faces. Greeks understood that bad things happen to good people (i.e. fate). Yet Oedipus is a hero for taking responsibility for his immorality, though it will not be enough. In subsequent Sophoclean tragedies we see the sins of the father visiting the children in equally tragic ways, which in itself is a morality lesson.

Another must read classic is the Bible. There are comparisons between the Bible and mythology in that each gives its own origin story wherein everything starts in a void. In the Bible one God created the world over six days and creates man and woman in his image. In Greek mythology Prometheus is a god who creates humans from clay. Though we can compare the fall of Adam and Eve to Pandora and her box, the Bible places more of an emphasis on free will than fate.

Depending on the books’ authors, Old Testament God is seemingly less merciful than New Testament God. The Jewish people are enslaved and tested. But though they fall away from God many times, they are given chances to redeem themselves. In order to help humans stay on the narrow path, He provides the Ten Commandments. But humans are humans and use these Commandments against each other in ways God didn’t intend, for example casting stones. So, in the New Testament Mary is chosen to birth the savior prophesied about in the Old Testament—Jesus Christ. It is God’s love for mankind that Jesus is born, tested, preaches God’s word, and is put death by crucifixion as atonement for our sins. But Jesus rises again on the third day to show us everlasting life. There is hope even in death.

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as a Holy Trinity are there to guide us forward. And there is no problem you have today that isn’t covered in the Bible. Slavery, lust, lying, war, betrayal, fear, abandonment, abuse, etc., but God delivers hope and justice.This is why it is still the best selling book ever—over 5 billion copies and counting.

Think of the apostles who traveled to spread the word of Jesus to many who weren’t believers, but the apostles kept on anyway while suffering persecution and death for what they knew to be true. They were not part of a cult. They didn’t have to suffer and die for their cause. They could have bailed at any time, but they didn’t. Instead, they were heroes of the faith. The importance of understanding Judeo-Christian beliefs cannot be overstated. The Bible is the foundation for our laws, ethics, and values based on the simple premise to love one another the way God loves you. If you do that, all the Commandments are covered.

As Christianity spread, another classic work was created in England. The Old English poem Beowulf. It, too, has a youthful male (this time Scandinavian) turned king who must conquer demons. First he conquers a man eating monster named Grendel and his vengeful mother, then becomes king, and after fifty years of peaceful rule must fight off a dragon in order to secure peace for his people. Though a mighty warrior, Beowulf is older and his sword is no match for the dragon. When he enters the cave alone, all the men accompanying him scatter in fear but one. Beowulf and the dragon die in an epic battle, and Wiglaf becomes the next king. The focus of this poem is once again heroism, duty, and honor. Be it when he is young or old, Beowulf puts his life and reputation on the line for others which links to the Bible when Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13).

Over and over again, story after story runs on the same themes. The King Arthur tales emphasized a knight’s codes of chivalry: honor, loyalty, valor, and honesty. “A knight was expected to have not only the strength and skills to face combat in the violent Middle Ages but was also expected to temper this aggressive side of a knight with a chivalrous side to his nature” (http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/knights-code-of-chivalry.htm). These are the things that made men who could be counted on in times of struggle.

If we are to look at Odysseus, Oedipus, and Beowulf, and King Arthur readers see the same heroic character traits in all: cleverness, courage, duty, and mercy. But they are also human in their overconfidence or hubris, which is why they are relatable. They learn from mistakes, much like King David in the Bible. In times of uncertainty, we need heroes and leaders. In classics these characters fit the bill. They show us that one does not need to be a perfect human being to be a great leader. These are values we want our children to inherit.

Whether Shakespeare, Austen, Alcott, or Twain, we have classics that have stood the test of time because they taught the reader something about conflict and humanity. History and culture are woven through literature giving a character’s personal perspective. But you cannot just pick up a classic and read it with today’s sensibilities. For example, you need to understand history and philosophy to understand that Thomas Jefferson got the idea of “inalienable rights” from English philosopher John Locke. You would have to understand how radical an idea it was to say that our rights come from God not a monarch. You would have to understand the Greek form of democracy and polis to connect with our own democratic republic. You would need to know that the Magna Carta helped form the basis of our Constitution. For if you aren’t taught these facts, you won’t comprehend how precious an experiment the United States is, why many of us are fearful of losing our country, and why so many clearly long to come here.

Equally, you need to have the historical context of the American Revolution and it’s inspiration for the French Revolution. You would need to contrast the French Revolution and the American Revolution to comprehend the opening lines in Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities:

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”

Here’s the point: Nothing in Western civilization or humanities was created in a vacuum. Everything is interconnected and needs to be viewed in context. Yet, increasingly, these classics are pulled from curriculum because they are thought to be archaic, they don’t comply with modern standards, or the word choices are offensive. But I am on a personal crusade to save the study of Western civilization and humanities for future generations. Why? Because the study of Western civilization and the humanities teaches us about ourselves. We can see the links from the past and its connection to today. Reread Dickens’ lines. Don’t they speak to where we are in today’s America?

Cancel culture’s focus on these works being male dominated and oppressive is absurd because they are taking a look at these texts within our current culture. The Western world was a dangerous place and men were the warriors. Taking American history books and making the content equally white, black, Hispanic, Native American, female, and LGBTQ+ is skewing history. Western civilization is filled with inequities, and that’s what we need to learn from to make our country and the world continually better. Politically correct culture and our nation’s intense focus on math and science makes our society too technical, calculated, and cold. There needs to be a balance. Omitting, canceling, or watering down the past be it history, philosophy, art, language, or literature does not elevate our culture. It kills it.

Note: Two great book recommendations include Beowulf by Seamus Heaney and The Politically Incorrect Guide to English and American Literature by Elizabeth Cantor, Ph.D.