Full subject range protects us

UNIVERSITY FEE HIKES

HAVING just enrolled in my last unit towards a Bachelor of Philosophy, I am disheartened and perplexed by the decision to increase fees of humanities courses more than 100 per cent.

Reflecting on my own studies, areas covered include green criminology, climate change, social problems and social policy, philosophy of science, religion and gender, contemporary feminist thought, international co-operation, moral and legal limits of political violence, Buddhist philosophy, gender and justice, cultural diversity and, finally, I will study tourism, creativity and culture.

These are not mickey mouse subjects but ones required to understand our complex society and equip oneself to becoming a critical thinker.

The study of philosophy does not just provide a better rock to sit on but a means to engage in the world and challenge views incompatible with the flourishing of humanity.

My parents lived under the regimes of Hitler and Stalin and universities were enthusiastically targeted by thought-controllers to fulfil their evil designs. Universities that offer the full range of courses on an equal footing are our best protection towards a healthy, just and diverse society.

The bottom line is, any educational institution not valuing the humanities doesn’t deserve the title of university, better they be called a glorified TAFE.

Likewise, a nation that devalues the humanities is a society that would prefer the populace to remain ignorant, compliant and uncritical, much as China does.