Key Literary and Philosophical Terms for Humanities Students

Allegory

Noun : the expression by means of symbolic fictional figures and actions of truths or generalizations about human existence

Expository

Adjective : a text that aims to explain, describe, or investigate a subject in a clear, objective, and logical manner to inform the reader

Astronomic

adjective of or relating to astronomy astronomical observations enormously or inconceivably large or great

Impromptu

made, done, or formed on or as if on the spur of the moment adjective/noun/adverb

Catharsis

noun purification or purgation of the emotions (such as pity and fear) primarily through art

Interdisciplinary

involving two or more academic, scientific, or artistic disciplines adjective

Immutable

(adj.) not capable of or susceptible to change

Socratic

(adj.) of or relating to Socrates, his followers, or his philosophical method of systematic doubt and questioning of another to elicit a clear expression of a truth supposed to be knowable by all rational beings

Siddhartha

(noun) an epithet of Buddha meaning "he who has attained his goal."

Prose

(noun) the ordinary language people use in speaking or writing

Existentia

(adj) of, relating to, or affirming existence

Catalyst

(noun) a substance that enables a chemical reaction to proceed at a usually faster rate or under different conditions (as at a lower temperature) than otherwise possible

Colloquia

(noun) a usually academic meeting at which specialists deliver addresses on a topic or on related topics and then answer questions relating to them

Mode

(noun) an arrangement of the eight diatonic notes or tones of an octave according to one of several fixed schemes of their intervals

Nietzsche

(noun) influential German philosopher remembered for his concept of the superman and for his rejection of Christian values

Aesthetic

(adj) of, relating to, or dealing with aesthetics or the beautiful

Artistic

(adj) pleasing in appearance : attractive

Apollonian

(adj) harmonious, measured, ordered, or balanced in character

Dionysian

(adj) of or relating to Dionysius

Beauty

(N) the quality or group of qualities in a person or thing that gives pleasure to the senses or the mind : loveliness

Critical thinking

(N) the act or practice of thinking critically (as by applying reason and questioning assumptions) in order to solve problems, evaluate information, discern biases, etc.

Discipline

(N) control gained by enforcing obedience or order

(V) to punish or penalize as a means of enforcing obedience and perfecting moral character

Humanism

(N) devotion to the humanities : literary culture

Humanities

(N) compassionate, sympathetic, or generous behavior or disposition : the quality or state of being humane

Rationalization

(N) the act, process, or result of rationalizing : a way of describing, interpreting, or explaining something (such as bad behavior) that makes it seem proper, more attractive, etc.

"The Orestia"

(N) ancient Greece's only surviving tragic trilogy, by Aeschylus

Infinite person

(N) a concept, often studied in the humanities, referring to an individual with a broad range of interests, achievements, and a universal perspective on humanity

Justice

(N) the process or result of using laws to fairly judge cases, redress wrongs, and punish crimes

Contemporaries

(adj) marked by characteristics of the present period

Renaissance person

(N) a well-rounded individual with deep knowledge and skills in many diverse fields

Socratic dialogue

(N) a cooperative discussion, named after philosopher Socrates, that uses a structured series of questions to explore complex ideas, challenge assumptions, and guide participants toward deeper understanding or self-discovery, rather than winning an argument

Seminar

(N) a group of advanced students studying under a professor with each doing original research and all exchanging results through reports and discussions

Cogent

(adj) appealing forcibly to the mind or reason : convincing

Execration

(noun) the act of cursing or denouncing

De trop

(adj) : too much or too many : superfluous, excessive

Privation

(noun) an act or instance of depriving : deprivation

Strident

(adj) loud or harsh: grating

Taciturn

(adj) reserved or uncommunicative: quiet or shy

Transfixed

(verb) to be pierced with a sharp implement or weapon / to cause someone to be motionless with horror, wonder, or astonishment

Seared

(adj) fried quickly at high temperatures to retain its juices while cooking. Can be used as a verb or an adjective.

Muzzy

(adj) deficient in brightness

Callousness

(noun) insensitive and cruel disregard for others..

Shilly

shallied- (adj) to show hesitation or lack of decisiveness or resolution

Plaintive

(adj) expressive of suffering or woe

Towy

(adj) Of the nature of or resembling the fiber tow. Towheads-talking about being blonde

Imperceptibly

(adj) not perceptible by a sense or by the mind : extremely slight, gradual, or subtle

Languid

(adj) drooping or flagging from or as if from exhaustion

Factotum

(noun) a person having many diverse activities or responsibilities

Pendulous

(adj) poised without visible support

Infirmity

(noun) the quality or state of being infirm. Physical or mental weakness.

Vigil

(noun) the act of keeping awake at times when sleep is customary. Similar to a watch

Absurd

(adj) ridiculously unreasonable, unsound, or incongruous