Why Democracy needs the Humanities

It's a fall tradition. Labour Day passes and university campuses across the country throw open their doors to a new class of eager students.

There's a lot at stake. The students, their parents and society at large are investing huge amounts of money and time into an intellectual journey with uncertain aims and a wild mix of expectations.

Students want a job. Parents want a future for their child. Politicians want economic value, a skilled workforce and growing economy.

But what if this mix of expectations is missing the mark?

What if we are all losing sight of what should be happening at our Universities across the country? What if we are in the midst of a crisis of massive proportions and grave global significance and I don't mean global warming or the economic collapse.

That's the idea at the heart of a new book provoking arguments around the world among policy makers, academics and university administrations.

Not For Profit: Why Democracy Needs the Humanities is a bold argument for going back to the very reason why we pump billions dollars into universities around the world. Instead of worrying about training people to get a job, let's worry about the health of democracy and making people better citizens.

The Author, Martha Nussbaum is one of America's leading scholars in philosophy, ethics and education. She is the Ernst Freund Distinguished Service Professor of Law and Ethics at the University of Chicago Law School.

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