Why I Don't Regret Majoring in the Humanities

February 7, 2026

TL;DR

The author found greater personal urgency and meaning in literature and humanities studies than in statistical modeling or foreign policy.
A new book, "Humanistic Judgment: Ten Experiments in Reading," examines the crisis in the humanities.
The humanities are shifting from cultivating judgment and self-knowledge to viewing texts as representatives of political and cultural debates.
University pressures lead humanities scholars to focus on narrow specializations and avoid engaging with questions of the human good.
Humanistic judgment, unlike skill acquisition, cultivates humility, a deeper understanding of complexity, and a craving for reality.
The value of humanities lies in dialogue and exposure to different perspectives, fostering humility and a desire to understand reality more deeply.
The humanities require positive accounts of their value to counter scientism, politics, AI, and declining reading habits.

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