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The Positive Humanities

A Focus on Human Flourishing

Bibliographic Data

ID9685403
AuthorsJames O Pawelski (0000-0003-3997-3478, corresponding author)
Year2022
Volume151
Issue3
Pages206-221
Publication date2022-08-22
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueDaedalus (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0011-5266 • E-ISSN: 1548-6192
PublisherMIT Press (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1162/daed_a_01939
OpenAlexW4292975061
LanguageEN
Citations received5

The Positive Humanities can be defined as the branch of learning concerned with culture in its relation to human flourishing. This new field advocates for a eudaimonic turn in the humanities, an explicit recognition of and commitment to human flourishing as a central theme of study and practical aim of the humanities. It holds that this eudaimonic turn can reconnect the humanities with their initial values and goals and provide a unifying and inspiring rationale for the humanities today, opening pathways for greater individual and collective flourishing in societies around the world. After exploring the historical roots and conceptual orientations of the Positive Humanities (which are inclusive of the arts), I present five recommendations for strengthening the focus of the humanities on human flourishing: emphasize 1) wisdom as much as knowledge, 2) collaboration as much as specialization, 3) the positive as much as the negative, 4) effective friction as much as increased efficiency, and 5) the flourishing of humans as much as the flourishing of the humanities

Digital humanities · Epistemology · Eudaimonia · Flourishing · Humanities · Political science · Positive psychology · Relation (database · Social science · Sociology · The arts · Theme (computing · Cognitive Science and Education Research · Innovation, Sustainability, Human-Machine Systems · Law · Leadership, Courage, and Heroism Studies · Philosophy · Psychology · Social Psychology

  • Character education as curriculum‐making in the humanities

    Open Access•Jonathon Sargeant, Kylie Trask-Kerr•The Curriculum Journal•2026

  • Strengthening character among frontline health workers delivering care to underserved communities in Sindh, Pakistan

    Danya Arif Siddiqi, Manaksha Memon et al.•Journal of Moral Education•2025

  • Cultural Heritage as a Health Asset

    Open Access•Alejandra López Mera, Pablo De Castro Martins et al.•Heritage•2026

  • Collective Flourishing and Community Well-being

    Open Access•Abraham Francis•Space and Culture India•2025

  • Flourishing through Prayer by Singing in a Liturgical Choir

    Open Access•Agnieszka Marek, Tomasz Lisiecki•Religions•2024

Unique citing works5
Citations per year2,5
Citation span2024 - 2026 (3)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 5
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