MARGINALIZATION OF THE HUMANITIES AS A FACTOR IN THE CONTEMPORARY GLOBAL CRISIS

Abstract

The position of the humanities within contemporary systems of knowledge reflects a broader transformation in the way knowledge, education, and social development are valued. The growing predominance of instrumental rationality has strengthened criteria based on economic utility, measurable performance, and immediate applicability, thereby narrowing the space for disciplines whose primary contribution lies in interpretation, critical reflection, and the formation of intellectual and value-oriented perspectives. The purpose of this paper is to examine the marginalization of the humanities as a relevant factor in the contemporary global crisis and to establish a connection between the declining social significance of humanistic knowledge and the weakening of critical capacities necessary for understanding complex processes of social change. The research relies on a qualitative analysis of relevant theoretical and scholarly literature, with particular attention to the relationship between the transformation of knowledge systems, the marketization of higher education, and the changing position of the humanities. The findings indicate that the marginalization of humanistic disciplines extends beyond institutional and academic concerns, affecting the capacity of societies to interpret historical experience, critically assess prevailing models of development, and articulate coherent value orientations. Such a reduction of the humanistic dimension of knowledge contributes to a narrower understanding of contemporary crises, particularly when technological and economic approaches become detached from their broader social and ethical implications. The paper concludes that the global crisis possesses an intellectual and value-based dimension that cannot be adequately addressed through technical expertise alone. Strengthening the institutional and educational position of the humanities therefore represents an important prerequisite for developing critical judgment, historical consciousness, and a more comprehensive understanding of contemporary social transformations. The paper recommends greater integration of humanistic perspectives into educational and research policies, together with stronger interdisciplinary cooperation between the humanities and other fields of knowledge. The study contributes to a broader understanding of how transformations in the contemporary structure and hierarchy of knowledge affect the capacity of societies to critically interpret their circumstances and respond responsibly to complex global challenges.