The Humanities and the Power of Emotions and Ideas

In his essay “A Defence of Poetry” (1821), English Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley describes poets as “the unacknowledged legislators of the world.” Shelley argues that poets, though seldom recognized or rewarded for their influence, play a vital role in shaping society’s moral, cultural and intellectual frameworks. 

He believes that poets—and, by extension, other creative thinkers—profoundly shape how people perceive the world, influencing values, emotions and ideas in ways that formal laws or governments cannot.

Shelley’s assertion rests on the belief that poetry and the arts can tap into universal truths, challenge established norms and inspire social and moral progress. In this sense, poets are legislators of thought and feeling, even if their contributions often go unnoticed by the public.

In contrast, economist John Maynard Keynes remarked that “if you scratch a businessman, you will find a second-rate economist.” Most businesspeople, Keynes thought, rely on oversimplified or outdated economic principles, adopted uncritically. He suggests that while these individuals believe they are acting with rationality and expertise, their understanding of economics tends to be shallow, built on flawed or second-rate ideas.

Keynes’s point is that economic theory is complex and effective decision-making requires a deeper understanding than what is typically practiced in the business world. He also warned that economic theories, even when flawed, have significant real-world consequences, as those in business often unknowingly adhere to outdated ideas, often with detrimental effects.

Both Shelley and Keynes emphasize how intellectual contributions—whether from poets or economists—can shape society in profound but unacknowledged ways. Whether it is the unseen influence of artists or the unexamined adherence to economic principles, their insights underscore how ideas shape the world, even if those implementing them fail to fully grasp their origins or significance.

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In a world preoccupied with material power—military, economic or political—it is easy to overlook the invisible forces that truly shape human history. Yet the most enduring and transformative powers lie not in weapons or wealth, but in the realm of ideas, emotions and values. These forces drive revolutions, inspire social movements and define civilizations. To study the humanities is to engage with these deep, often unseen drivers of human behavior.

The humanities focus on the intangible yet powerful forces that shape human consciousness. They reveal that the mind is the most potent engine of transformation. Ideas born from intellectual inquiry and the emotions that guide human action profoundly influence how societies evolve, adapt and sometimes collapse. Armies may win battles, but it is the ideas behind them—nationalism, justice, freedom or tyranny—that win wars. Economies may generate wealth, but it is the values and emotions of hope, fear, ambition or greed that shape economic decisions and social structures.

History is a testament to the power of ideas and emotions. Ideologies like democracy, communism and capitalism have reshaped continents. Emotions such as fear, pride and hope have sparked revolutions and toppled regimes. By studying these invisible forces, the humanities illuminate the true drivers of history—forces far more enduring than any empire or economy. They help us navigate these currents, offering insights into the ideologies, values and emotions that shape human behavior and helping us better understand both progress and conflict.

The most profound changes in history come not from wealth accumulation or territorial conquest, but from shifts in how people think, feel and perceive the world. From Enlightenment ideals that fueled revolutions to civil rights movements powered by the emotions of justice and equality, history is shaped by the mind’s capacity to envision a different world.

The mind, not the sword, is the ultimate source of power, and the humanities unlock its potential. By engaging with ideologies, values and emotions, the humanities help us understand the essence of human life—what we strive for, fear and value—and how these forces propel or restrain us.

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Power is often associated with political, military or economic dominance—what we typically think of as hard power. When considering soft power, we often think of mass media, cultural exports like films and music, or charismatic leaders. However, an equally potent and often overlooked form of power is the power of ideas and ideologies. This influence shapes how societies understand themselves, how individuals interpret the world and how both envision their future.

Ideas—whether political, philosophical or cultural—are the lenses through which we see the world. They shape our assumptions, values and aspirations. Concepts like democracy, freedom, equality and justice are not abstract ideals; they are frameworks that guide real-world governance, law and society. These ideas determine how we define fairness, what rights we prioritize and how we structure institutions. They influence decisions at both individual and national levels, shaping everything from voting and protesting to policymaking on a global scale.

Take ideologies like capitalism, socialism, liberalism or conservatism. These belief systems have driven historical change and continue to influence debates about how societies should function. A capitalist society prizes market competition and individual wealth, while socialism values collective ownership and economic equality. These systems are not merely material; they are rooted in fundamental beliefs about human nature and fairness. Ideas such as these guide economic policies, elections and social movements. Whether or not we realize it, the ideologies we adopt shape the structure of our lives.

Ideas also shape how we interpret events. A revolution might be seen as a righteous struggle for freedom or a dangerous upheaval, depending on the observer’s ideological lens. Climate change can be framed as an urgent crisis or as an overstated threat, depending on underlying values. Ideologies provide narratives that help make sense of complex issues and suggest what actions should be taken. This interpretive power not only shapes policy but also molds public opinion and personal decisions.

The power of ideas is especially evident in how societies construct their values. Take the concept of human rights, which gained prominence in the 20th century. The belief that all individuals deserve certain inalienable rights has reshaped global legal systems, international relations and civil rights movements. Human rights are not enforced by any one country or institution, yet the idea has become so ingrained that it now governs global norms. It is not military or economic power that spread this ideology—it is the power of an idea.

Revolutions and social movements offer some of the clearest examples of the transformative force of ideas. The American Revolution, the French Revolution and the civil rights movements were driven not by military might or economic sanctions, but by new ideas about liberty, equality, citizenship and justice. These movements were powered by shifts in consciousness—a collective realization that existing systems were unjust and that alternatives were possible. The ideas behind these movements redefined what people believed they deserved and what kind of society they wanted to build.

Even in daily life, the influence of ideas is clear. Gender roles, race and identity are shaped by the prevailing ideologies of the time. Feminism challenged long-held beliefs about gender equality, reshaping opportunities and rights for future generations. Similarly, movements like Black Lives Matter have forced society to confront systemic racism and rethink justice. These movements show that ideas have the power to redefine societal norms and foster transformative change.

Today, ideologies continue to shape society, particularly through education, media and intellectual discourse. Universities are not just places where technical skills are taught; they are battlegrounds where ideas are debated, formed and disseminated. From classrooms to newsrooms, ideas are constantly being challenged and spread, influencing how society thinks about issues like climate change, inequality, immigration and health care. The intellectual frameworks built in these environments eventually trickle down into broader public consciousness.

To underestimate the power of ideas is to ignore one of the most potent forces in human history. Military power can win battles and economic power can build empires, but it is the power of ideas that ultimately shapes civilizations. Ideas guide how we interpret the world, what we value and what we strive for. They are the invisible architects of our collective future, shaping the world we live in and the one we hope to create. By recognizing the power of ideas, we gain a better understanding of the forces that drive change—politically, economically and philosophically.

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The humanities are the disciplines that focus on meaning, perception and values, examining the deeper, often intangible aspects of human existence. Unlike the natural sciences, which explore the nature of the physical world, or the social sciences, which analyze behavior in theoretical and scientific terms, the humanities address the internal landscapes of individuals and societies—our hopes, fears, dreams, illusions, emotions and sometimes our nightmares.

At the heart of the humanities lies the study of ideas and ideologies. Disciplines like literature, philosophy, history, art and religious studies explore how ideas form, spread and evolve over time, shaping identities, cultures and societies. History is not just a record of events but a way to understand the driving ideas behind movements such as freedom, justice or progress. Philosophy challenges us to interrogate these concepts, asking fundamental questions about existence, ethics and knowledge. Literature expresses the emotional and psychological dimensions of human experience, revealing hidden desires and fears.

Humans are meaning makers, constantly interpreting the world through various lenses. The humanities provide tools to examine and question the narratives that shape our understanding. A literary analysis of a novel reveals not just the plot but also the underlying themes and symbols that speak to broader social or psychological truths. Similarly, the study of art reveals how visual representations convey ideologies, evoke emotions or challenge cultural norms. The humanities probe the nature of myths, symbols and metaphors, helping us make sense of life’s complexities.

Perception is another key focus of the humanities. How do we interpret the world? How do culture, language and history shape our perceptions of reality? The humanities tackle these questions. Art history, for instance, studies how different cultures perceive beauty, form and meaning through visual expression. Linguistics explores how language shapes thought and interaction, while cultural studies examine how media, pop culture and mass communication frame our perceptions of identity, gender, race and class. Through this lens, the humanities reveal that our experiences are always mediated by cultural context.

Values are also central to the humanities. They are not just personal preferences but foundational beliefs that shape moral, ethical and political decisions. The humanities challenge us to consider questions like: What is justice? What constitutes a good life? What are our responsibilities to others? By studying the moral philosophies of thinkers like Aristotle, Kant or Confucius or analyzing ethical dilemmas in literature or history, we learn how values are constructed, debated and enacted. In doing so, the humanities cultivate critical thinking about our place in the world and our obligations to others.

One of the most profound contributions of the humanities is their exploration of human emotions. Literature, art, music and drama have long been vehicles for expressing and examining the full range of human emotions—from love, joy and hope to fear, anger and despair. Emotions, while personal, are shaped by cultural narratives and shared experiences. The humanities allow us to see both the universal aspects of human emotions and the particular ways they are experienced in different historical and cultural contexts.

The humanities also provide insight into human fantasies and dreams—how people envision alternative realities or futures. Through literature, film and art, the humanities explore how societies understand their current realities and imagine different possibilities. Utopian and dystopian literature reflects societal hopes and fears about political, technological or environmental futures. Myths and folklore reveal how cultures use stories to explain the unknown, often expressing collective desires or anxieties.

Nightmares, both personal and societal, are equally a focus of the humanities. Whether it’s the existential dread explored in Kafka’s novels or the cultural traumas examined in postcolonial literature, the humanities confront the uglier sides of human experience. They grapple with suffering, oppression, alienation and fear, revealing how these forces shape individual lives and collective histories. The humanities do not merely document atrocities like war, genocide and social injustice; they explore the ethical and emotional dimensions of human suffering, compelling us to confront uncomfortable truths about ourselves and the world.

The diminishing presence of the humanities in contemporary education risks leaving individuals and societies without a deeper understanding of these fundamental aspects of human life. When education is reduced to purely technical or utilitarian goals—focusing solely on preparing students for the job market—the broader mission of cultivating reflective, morally engaged citizens is neglected. The humanities foster empathy, critical thinking and the ability to question assumptions, all of which are essential not only for personal growth but for the health of democratic societies.

The humanities are essential because they study the ideas, values, perceptions and emotions that shape human existence. They encourage us to reflect on the meaning of life, challenge dominant ideologies and explore the full range of human emotions and desires. By engaging with the humanities, we learn not just about the world, but about ourselves and how we make sense of life’s complexities. In doing so, we deepen our understanding of what it means to be human.

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The history of emotions is one of the most dynamic fields within the humanities, illustrating that emotions are not simply universal, biological experiences, but are deeply shaped by cultural, social and historical contexts. This emerging field reveals that emotions are influenced by norms, values and institutions and in turn, play an active role in shaping history.

Among the key issues that the history of emotions studies are these:

• Emotions as historically and culturally contingent: Emotions are not static across time or place. What is considered an appropriate or expected emotional response in one culture or era may be seen as inappropriate or strange in another. For instance, the modern concept of romantic love was largely absent in premodern societies, where marriage was more often determined by social, political or economic factors than by personal affection.
• Emotional standards and regulation: Throughout history, societies have established norms for emotional expression. In medieval Europe, emotions such as grief or joy were expected to be expressed differently depending on one’s social status, gender or role. The Stoics in ancient Greece advocated for emotional restraint, while certain religious traditions encouraged open displays of devotion, guilt or fear of divine judgment.
• The role of emotions in power and politics: Emotions are deeply intertwined with power structures. Historical elites have frequently used emotional manipulation to maintain control. Monarchs and religious authorities in early modern Europe promoted fear of divine punishment to uphold social order, while the French Revolution saw emotional expressions of patriotism and outrage as crucial for mobilizing the masses.
• The concept of emotional communities: Historian Barbara Rosenwein introduced the idea of emotional communities—groups of people sharing common emotional norms and expressions. These communities, whether religious groups, families or political factions, use emotions to define their sense of belonging and collective identity, underscoring the role of emotions in shaping social bonds.
• Gender and emotions: The history of emotions reveals that emotional expression has been gendered throughout history. In many cultures, women were often expected to be more emotionally expressive, nurturing or empathetic, while men were encouraged to be stoic and restrained. Feminist historians have explored how these gendered emotional expectations reinforced social hierarchies and inequalities.
• The medicalization of emotions: Over time, emotions have increasingly been understood through medical and scientific frameworks. For instance, melancholy, once seen primarily as a spiritual condition, came to be understood as a psychological or medical issue (now called depression). This shift altered both treatments for emotional distress and societal attitudes toward emotional experiences.

Major contributors to the history of emotions include:

• Thomas Dixon, who has explored the shift from the concept of “passions” in early modern thought to the modern idea of “emotions,” highlighting the influence of religious and philosophical ideas on this transformation.
• Jo Labanyi, whose work focuses on the emotional dimensions of collective memory and trauma in post-Franco Spain, examining how emotions are transmitted and represented in literature and visual culture.
• William Reddy, who introduced the concept of “emotives,” referring to expressions of emotions that both describe and shape feelings. He has also studied the relationship between emotional expression and political authority, especially during the French Revolution.
• Barbara Rosenwein, who has demonstrated how different societies create and regulate distinct emotional norms, emphasizing the role of emotional communities in historical contexts.
• Peter Stearns, who has examined how emotions such as anger, shame and fear have been shaped by changing political, cultural and economic conditions.

The history of emotions reveals that emotions are deeply embedded in social structures, power dynamics and cultural contexts. This approach offers a fuller understanding of human history, one that encompasses not only rational decisions and material conditions but also the emotional lives that have influenced—and been influenced by—historical change.

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The history of emotions has reshaped how we understand human experience, revealing that emotions are not merely private, internal states but are deeply intertwined with social, political and cultural contexts. This emerging field shows that emotions are shaped by external forces and play an active role in shaping history itself.

Here are some of the key findings from the history of emotions:

• Emotions are embedded in social structures. Emotions are influenced by the social hierarchies and institutions that structure people’s lives. In any society, there are expectations about how individuals of different classes, genders or statuses should express and experience emotions. For instance, in premodern Europe, noblemen were expected to show controlled restraint, while women, especially of lower status, were often more emotionally expressive in contexts like mourning or religious devotion. These emotional norms reinforced social hierarchies, determining who had the authority to display certain emotions and who was expected to restrain them.
• Emotions and the rise of modern nation-states. The rise of nation-states brought new emotional expectations, especially through nationalism. Emotions like pride, loyalty and hatred became central to creating national unity, especially in times of war. Totalitarian regimes have often manipulated emotions through propaganda, cultivating fear or devotion to consolidate power and suppress dissent.
• Emotional regulation tied to power relations. Those in power have historically sought to control and direct emotional expression to maintain authority. Institutions like the church, monarchy and state have dictated the appropriate ways to feel and express emotions, often to maintain social order. The Catholic Church in medieval Europe promoted emotions like guilt, shame and fear to control behavior and ensure adherence to religious norms. In Victorian England, emotional restraint, particularly among middle- and upper-class women, was tied to virtue and decorum. These norms reinforced power structures, keeping certain groups, especially women and the lower class, in subordinate roles. In modern times, governments and corporations use emotional appeals in advertising, propaganda and political messaging to sway public opinion and win elections by appealing not just to policy but to fear, hope and identity.
• Cultural context shapes emotional experience. Emotions do not exist in isolation; they are shaped by cultural narratives, practices and values. What is acceptable or encouraged in one culture might be inappropriate or taboo in another. For example, some societies encourage loud, open expressions of grief, while others value more restrained displays of emotion. The language used to describe emotions also reflects cultural context. Ancient Greek had several words for love—eros (romantic love) and agape (selfless, spiritual love)—reflecting different emotional dimensions. Similarly, cultures can have specific emotions that don’t directly translate, such as the German word “schadenfreude,” meaning pleasure in another’s misfortune.
• Emotions as historical agents. Emotions do not just respond to external events; they actively shape historical developments. Major social movements—such as abolition, feminism and civil rights—are often fueled by emotions like anger, hope and solidarity, driving people to challenge unjust systems. In war, emotions like fear and hatred are cultivated to rally people to a cause. For instance, World War I was sustained in part by national pride and a desire to prove a nation’s greatness, overriding rational concerns about the war’s costs.

Conversely, emotions like empathy and compassion have also driven significant historical changes. The abolition of slavery, human rights advancements and humanitarian efforts were often powered by a growing sense of empathy and outrage at injustice. The history of emotions highlights how feelings like guilt, shame or moral indignation can influence laws, policies and cultural transformations.

Emotions are integral to lived history, shaping actions, decisions and relationships. By examining emotions, historians gain deeper insight into the motivations behind historical events. Whether exploring the fear that gripped societies during plagues, the religious fervor of the Crusades or the optimism that fueled civil rights movements, the history of emotions offers a fuller understanding of the past.

The history of emotions has shown that emotions are deeply embedded in the fabric of historical change. They are both shaped by and help shape social structures, cultural norms and political power. Emotions act as powerful agents in history, influencing events, shaping ideologies and giving rise to cultural and political movements. By studying emotions, we gain a fuller understanding of the complexities of human experience and how emotional life intersects with broader social and historical forces.

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In a world often consumed by material power—whether political, military or economic—the humanities remind us that the most profound and lasting sources of power lie within the human mind. It is through our ideas, values, emotions and perceptions that the true levers of history and progress are moved.

The humanities engage deeply with this inner landscape, exploring how ideas shape societies, values define cultures and emotions drive human behavior. They show us that our hopes, fears, ideals and beliefs are not passive reactions but active forces that shape the world around us.

Power is not merely wielded through force or wealth, but through the ability to influence hearts and minds—to inspire, challenge and transform. In an era when technology and economic growth dominate discussions, the humanities offer a vital counterbalance, reminding us that the most transformative changes in society stem from shifts in consciousness. Ideas can liberate or oppress, heal or divide, and through the study of the humanities, we learn to wield this power with responsibility, insight and purpose.