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Difference Between Humanities and Social Sciences

Humanities vs Social Sciences

Humanities and social sciences deal with human aspects like politics, law, linguistics, economics, and psychology. One of the major differences between the two is that humanities involve a more critical and analytical approach whereas social sciences deal with more of a scientific approach.

Humanities are a branch of science that deals with the heritage and the question of what makes us human. Humanities deal with law, history, ancient languages, modern languages, philosophy, history, religion, and visual/performing arts. Humanities are considered to be more philosophical than social sciences.

As there is a scientific approach to social sciences, it is considered to be a branch of study in between humanities and natural sciences. Anthropology, criminology, administration, archaeology, education, economics, psychology, linguistics, political science, law, and history come under the purview of social sciences.

The study of humanities can be traced back to ancient Greece. It was during the Roman times that the concept of seven liberal arts developed like; rhetoric and logic, grammar, music, astronomy, arithmetics, astronomy, and geometry. There was a great shift, however, to the study of humanities in the 15th century. It was after the 15th century that humanities was regarded as a subject to be studied rather than practiced.

When talking about social sciences, Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, and Max Weber are credited with giving it a modern definition. Social sciences was influenced by the French revolution and the industrial revolution. Social science was developed from prescriptive practices that were related to a group’s social improvement, or through applied and experimental sciences, or through the methodical knowledge of bases.

Summary:

1.One of the major differences between the two is that humanities involve a more critical and analytical approach whereas social science deals with a more scientific approach.
2.Humanities are a branch of science that deal with the heritage and the question of what makes us human.
3.As there is a scientific approach to social sciences, it is considered to be a branch of study in between humanities and natural sciences.
4.Humanities are considered to be more philosophical than social sciences.
5.The study of humanities can be traced back to ancient Greece. It was during the Roman times that the concept of seven liberal arts developed like; rhetoric and logic, grammar, music, astronomy, arithmetics, astronomy, and geometry. There was a great shift, however, to the study of humanities in the 15th century.
6.Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, and Max Weber are credited with giving a modern definition to social sciences. This branch of study was influenced by the French revolution and the industrial revolution.

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19 Comments

  1. Dear S. Prabhat, I would like to reference your definition of the difference between the humanities and the social sciences – have you published it an academic paper?
    Jan Kroeze

  2. i like this explanation because it is so clear and brief.

  3. Thank you for your explanation it has aid us in our studies

  4. Reference is made to Marx, Durkheim and Weber, but there is anything but a mention of what they established. The fruits of the works of these three European thinkers, and others was the foundation of a distinctive branch of the Social Science tree: Sociology.

  5. Please can you send me more materials about social science and humanity.

  6. Please can you send me more materials about social science and humanity.more information.

    • Prof Irma (IJ) Kroeze published the following two articles that contain discussions about the difference between the natural sciences, social sciences and the humanities:

      1. Climate wars and fat wars: A new role for law.
      Irma J. Kroeze. The Journal for Transdisciplinary Research in Southern Africa | Vol 13, No 1 | a419 | DOI:
      2. Legal Research Methodology and the Dream of Interdisciplinarity. IJ Kroeze. Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal/Potchefstroomse Elektroniese Regsblad
      Vol 16, No 3 (2013):

  7. I find this very educational as well as interesting. I must say I never put thought into these subjects but am very interested in learning more. I look forward to learning about these subjects

  8. Really helpful. Thanks

  9. I’d just like to know who edited this article. In two separate lists, terms are used twice: astronomy and history (astronomy was used twice in a list of “seven” liberal arts that came about in Roman times. Are we missing one or were there only six?); Ancient Greece is mentioned, yet Roman times are used as evidence, and the grammar is atrocious. “Social sciences was influenced –” I know I’m picky, but it was very distracting. Overall, good information was given that will help me complete a class project, but reading through the article felt like an arduous task.

  10. Thank you for the full explanation. I understand now.

  11. It really helpful but o reference,

  12. Easily understood and facinating

  13. I really appreciated the information provided, It was helpful and very understanding. This was explained greatly.

  14. very helpful with lense chart

  15. Thank you for the information, it became more clearer for me now.
    ‘Cause I’m always confused about these two.

  16. Thank you for your information. It’s straightforward and beneficial.

  17. Great article. Straightforward and to the point. For awareness, astronomy is listed twice within the seven liberal arts of the Greeks.

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