Reclaiming Humanities in the Radical Epoch* — introducing Humanities Wayfinder©
This article introduces a new initiative by XperientialAI to support parents in developing their children’s humanities skills — I’ve named the program Humanities Wayfinder©, and I’m claiming the term as Copyright with a priority date of Dec 30 2023.
We need a new phrase to replace the cliche “in a changing world.” Change doesn’t do justice to what we’re about to experience.
I’ve meandered over phrases that could succinctly label the period we’re about to begin in 2024, and I landed on “Radical Epoch*,” a period of extraordinary global upheavals and transformations during which the role of the humanities in shaping the minds of future generations becomes critical.
*The term Radical Epoch was first used by Martin Heidegger (1889–1976) around the 1930s. Heidegger was a German philosopher whose term Radical Epoch (German: Radikale Epoche) refers to the epoch that marks the transition from one beginning to another. The phrase “Radical Epoch” effectively conveys the idea of a distinct and pivotal historical period characterized by profound and far-reaching changes. It suggests that the nature and impact of these changes are not just incremental or moderate but rather radical — fundamentally altering how we understand and interact with the world we inhabit.
In this article, I explore the urgent need to reorient secondary education (years 9–12) and tertiary education toward a humanities-centric curriculum that prepares people for the challenges of the Radical Epoch.
Since at least the mid-20th century, corporate and industrial pressures have significantly steered educational curricula towards technical and practical skills. This shift has simultaneously undermined and undervalued the humanities, leading to a growing disconnect between the skills taught in schools and those needed to navigate the multifaceted challenges of the Radical Epoch.
Secondary Education as a Foundational Bridge
The years 9–12 in secondary education are pivotal in forming young minds’ intellectual and ethical foundations. During this formative phase, students must build a metaphorical bridge fortified by the humanities. This bridge equips them to step into the Radical Epoch with the ability to critically analyze, empathize, and navigate complex societal changes.
The prevailing emphasis on STEM subjects in both secondary and higher education risks producing a generation adept in technical skills but ill-prepared for the nuanced challenges of life. The Radical Epoch demands more than technical expertise; it requires individuals who can comprehend and address global issues’ ethical, cultural, and human dimensions.
Narrow Educational Trends Don’t Equip us for the Radical Epoch
It’s time we resist narrowing education to technical and corporate-driven curricula. Humanities play a crucial role in equipping students with the skills to adapt and thrive amidst the vast societal changes of the 21st century. Subjects like literature, philosophy, and history are not merely academic disciplines; they are the tools that enable future generations to evaluate and shape the world they inherit critically.
In the Radical Epoch, the need for humanities education is more than an academic consideration; it’s a societal imperative. The interconnected nature of global crises—from Geopolitical conflict to climate change to technological revolutions—demands a comprehensive understanding that only a humanities-rich education can provide.
We’re all about to embark on the Radical Epoch, and it’s time to fundamentally rethink our approach to ensuring people have the skills to navigate a period of the most significant change in at least two hundred years.
The humanities must be reinstated at the heart of secondary and higher education curricula. Only through a balanced and humanities-informed educational system can we prepare future generations to navigate, contribute to, and lead in this era of unparalleled transformation.
Adults will likely struggle to navigate the complexities of the Radical Epoch; the responsibility to prepare our children for the future extends beyond the walls of traditional educational institutions. While we advocate for a more balanced and humanities-rich curriculum in schools, we must recognize our power and duty as parents in shaping our children’s education.
The pace of curricular change in formal education systems can often be glacial, and the current global landscape does not afford us the luxury of waiting. It is incumbent upon us, as parents and guardians, to proactively supplement our children’s education with the critical skills and knowledge that the humanities provide.
To this end, we are introducing the “Humanities Wayfinder” — a comprehensive playbook designed to help parents use AI technology, like ChatGPT, to develop essential humanities skills in their children. This playbook offers practical, engaging activities tailored to various age groups, making learning adaptable and enjoyable.
Step forward and actively ensure our children are not just well-educated in the traditional sense. They must have the critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and creative skills necessary to thrive in the Radical Epoch.
The future belongs to our children, and we are responsible for preparing them for it — not someday, but starting today.
My contribution to this critical change in educational focus is “Humanities Wayfinder©,” a resource that guides parents through the essential aspects of humanities, helping them develop vital skills and an understanding of the Radical Epoch. It implies education and exploration, fitting well with the playbook’s purpose of empowering parents and children in their educational journey.
This article introduces a new initiative by XperientialAI to support parents in developing their children’s humanities skills — we’ve named the program Humanities Wayfinder©, and we’re claiming the term as Copyright with a priority date of Dec 30 2023.
About the author: Greg Twemlow, Founder of XperientialAI©.
Greg Twemlow: “Empowering future leaders and organizations by designing and delivering AI-integrated experiential learning programs that blend technology, ethics, and philosophy. Through consultancy, mentorship, innovation coaching, and thought leadership, I help CEOs, business leaders, and individuals ethically and efficiently implement AI solutions while fostering a culture of trust, integrity, and wisdom in an AI-driven world.” Contact Greg: greg@xperiential.ai
