What is the highest and best use of the humanities?

It’s not hard to find studies that will locate the value of reading in improved critical thinking or a better quality of life. But what are the unique benefits of the areas of study we call the humanities? In our January 2012 Lab with the Illinois Humanities Council, a diverse group of thinkers converged upon a particular attribute: the humanities’ ability to help us cope with the unknown. Many of us have acquired knowledge and skills that enable us to change the world. The humanities remind us to ask, “Change the world to what?”

Cate Belling, Northwestern University
Tim Jahnke, Elkay Manufacturing
Mark Achler, Redbox
Amanda Lannert, Jellyvision Labs
Liam Krehbiel, A Better Chicago
Emerson Spartz, Spartz Media
Mae Hong, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors
Jim Jacoby, Manifest Digital
Alison Cuddy, Chicago Public Radio
Anna Belyaev
Vicki Bohlsen, Bohlsen Group
Kristina Valaitis, Illinois Humanities Council
Keira Amstutz, Indiana Humanities
Geoffrey Banks, Illinois Humanities Council
Ryan Lewis, Illinois Humanities Council
Jeff Leitner, Insight Labs
Howell J. Malham Jr., Insight Labs
Andrew Benedict-Nelson, Insight Labs

Photography by Jason Smith; audio engineering by Shirk Music and Sound; and video editing by Aaron Cahan.