TY  - JOUR
AB  - Purpose–The purpose of this essay is to argue the importance of the humanities as a problem‐solving “system”, one which has for thousands of years provided humankind with the tools to make reasoned decisions about complex problems in an ever‐changing world.Design/methodology/approach–This essay places the idea of complexity within a historical and philosophical context.Findings–The rise of new technologies has resulted in the notion that human beings are no longer capable of addressing complex problems. Too dogmatic a reliance upon technology, however, instead of leading to clarity, can lead to chaos and confusion.Social implications–One of the few remaining “big structures” which retains a significant degree of public trust is higher education. If we continue to devalue the one area of study – the humanities – which has as its ultimate purpose precisely the analysis of “complex issues” – in favor of quasi‐human systemic solutions or an alteration of the “epistemology” of education, we will surely render ourselves irrelevant.Originality/value–This is an original approach and an original piece of work.
VL  - 19
IS  - 2
SN  - 1074-8121
DO  - 10.1108/10748121111138344
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1108/10748121111138344
AU  - Katopes Peter
PY  - 2011
Y1  - 2011/01/01
TI  - Resisting chaos: the power of the humanities as a problem‐solving system
T2  - On the Horizon
PB  - Emerald Group Publishing Limited
SP  - 140
EP  - 146
Y2  - 2024/09/20
ER  -