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The importance of literature
The required study of literature in most universities is somewhat of an enigma in that a number of students may have a very narrow interpretation of how literature expresses itself in just about every sector of life. In my opinion it is absolutely of fundamental importance that literature is one of the core building blocks of today’s education. As I search for reasons to support such a definitive statement I tend to examine an area I am very passionate about and is intrinsically tied to literature- ancient text (i.e. the Vedic Sanskrit of ancient India, or the Book of the Dead of ancient Egypt). The ancient text or writings from our distant ancestors have tremendously shaped and molded our thinking, writing and technology of today. This concept is true of Eastern philosophy as well as later Western philosophy, and perhaps the most unsung and fundamental of all the philosophies the African philosophies. The point I want to make is from these ancient texts, these ancient works of great literature, which have been studied and examined for thousands of years, arises the contemplation of the human experience.
Man’s understanding of the wheel or the concept of human flight comes directly from his understanding of whom he is and his place in the world. This in turn is directly related to our cognitive awareness and our ability to express this awareness in pictographs, poems, music or some form of written and or mathematical systems. Examples of this somewhat alternative view of literature would be The Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci or the brilliant composer Duke Ellington and the fundamental work of greats like Imhotep’s mathematical equations in building the pyramids. Again my point is the stage of cognitive awareness, meaning man’s plight to understand himself, his environment, and the process of life, flows like a fine mathematical equation explaining the ever presence, importance, and evolution of the literary process.
This is one of many reasons why literature is very important in the university system. A working definition of literature, which resonates within my mind, at least at this stage of my development, is the communication, rather written, pictorial, or through mathematics or music, which examines the human condition, questioning and attempting to elucidate fundamental aspects of life in its varying experiences.
Yet another example of the importance of literature is that it can function as a superb tool to view the world through the lens of another person, and travel well beyond ones cultural, sexual, and religious boundaries. For this reason literature helps man see himself in others as well as the diversity of the human experience.
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It is often pointed out that young people today have a very poor concept of history or geography. It is also been written that, “those who ignore the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them.”
Everyone here who considers himself or herself to be a writer should read what you have written. Unfortunately, few will comment.
Thank you for your contribution to literature.
Ron