I liked John Fultz's comment so much that I decided to forgo what I was originally going to post – a rant about Jonathan Franzen and the 'literature of complacency,' to continue discussing the humanities. John says,

Forget rationalization and reason. Studying the Humanities gives you a basic appreciation for HUMANS…it establishes and hones the natural ability to EMPATHIZE with your fellow humans. It brings you beyond the confines of your own narrow skull/body and helps you understand what...