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<\/a><\/p>\nWe develop our emotional intelligence\u2014and learn skills of empathy, imagination, and understanding\u2014through the humanities. These skills, if cultivated, enable leaders to respond successfully to challenges and opportunities in every sector. Our scientists are better at their work if they read literature; our diplomats and our generals are more effective when they understand languages; our data scientists are able to think beyond algorithms when they experience art and music.<\/p>\n
Around the world, we can see the gains of globalization. Debates continue, however, about how to promote more inclusive and equitable growth, embracing a diversity of peoples and cultures and respecting the environment.<\/p>\n
The humanities must be part of this conversation. Leadership on these difficult issues demands understanding more than the bottom line; it requires an appreciation of all that makes life meaningful and complete. <\/p>\n
As Lei Zhang, a successful business leader and Yale alumnus, said, \u201cThe humanities are fundamental to reason. Isolating data and technology from the humanities is like trying to swim without water; you can have all the moves of Michael Phelps, but you still won\u2019t end up getting anywhere.\u201d <\/p>\n
The humanities provide the context\u2014the possibility of real understanding\u2014for all that the future promises.<\/p>\n
Despite the promise of technology to connect people, too often we remain isolated in our own narrow circles. Joining the humanities with new digital tools can help us reach across divides\u2014through time and space\u2014and allow more people to explore our rich cultural resources.<\/p>\n
We have been here before. In 1939, as war raged in Europe and Asia, Yale President Charles Seymour worried that the liberal arts would be neglected. Although the public did not think they were \u201cuseful,\u201d Seymour was convinced the humanities were indispensable. \u201cWithout them,\u201d he wrote movingly, \u201cthe heritage of the human experience is impoverished.\u201d<\/p>\n
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