The Meaning of Humanics - Dr. Seth Arsenian (c. 1967)

Item Information

Title:
The Meaning of Humanics - Dr. Seth Arsenian (c. 1967)
Description:
This document titled “The Meaning of Humanics,” was the first Humanics Lecture given at Springfield College by Distinguished Professor of Humanics, Dr. Seth Arsenian, in January, 1967. Arsenian, a faculty member who taught psychology at the college, filled the position as the first Distinguished Professor of Humanics from 1966-1969. The purpose of the position was to catalyze a renewal of consciousness in the philosophy. In his first speech he described Humanics as a set of ideas, values, and goals that make Springfield College distinct from other colleges and make commitment and unity toward commonly sought goals possible. Humanics is a word that has a special meaning in the history and philosophy of Springfield College, as well as in the college’s motto of “Spirit, Mind, and Body.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines Humanics as, “the subject or study of human affairs or relations, especially of the human element of a problem or situation as opposed to the mechanical.” In 1962, Dr. Glenn Olds, President of Springfield College at the time, began to wonder why this name was given to the intended philosophy of the college by Dr. Laurence Locke Doggett, Springfield College’s first full-time president. Olds acknowledged that the practices of the faculty were in large part consistent with the Humanics philosophy, but he believed that a more self-conscious application would improve chances of its continuity and survival. Arsenian described the root of the word, “Human,” as part of the unique curriculum of the College centering on "the study of Man in his wholeness." He explained that the Humanics philosophy is a wholistic concept of man and his education. He further discussed certain components of Humanics such as human-centeredness, knowledge for man’s welfare, service motivation, integration, international outreach, concern for freedom, respect for students, and student values and their changes. He also discussed the Springfield College Emblem of an inverted equilateral triangle further surrounded by a circle with the words: spirit, mind, body, on each side.
Creator:
Arsenian, Seth
Date:
January 1967
Format:
Documents
Location:
Springfield College Archives and Special Collections
Collection (local):
College Archives Digital Collections
Series:
Distinguished Professor of Humanics Collection
Subjects:
Humanics
Springfield College
Springfield College--Faculty
Springfield College--Alumni and alumnae
Arsenian, Seth, 1902-
Places:
Massachusetts > Hampden (county) > Springfield
Extent:
10 Pages
Link to Item:
http://cdm16122.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p15370coll2/id/6603
Terms of Use:
Text and images are owned, held, or licensed by Springfield College and are available for personal, non-commercial, and educational use, provided that ownership is properly cited. A credit line is required and should read: Courtesy of Springfield College, Babson Library, Archives and Special Collections. Any commercial use without written permission from Springfield College is strictly prohibited. Other individuals or entities other than, and in addition to, Springfield College may also own copyrights and other propriety rights. The publishing, exhibiting, or broadcasting party assumes all responsibility for clearing reproduction rights and for any infringement of United States copyright law.
Contact host institution for more information.
Publisher:
Springfield College
Language:
English
Notes:
Dr. Seth Arsenian was born in 1902 in Vaspurakan, Armenia. He became an American citizen in 1940, after which he was hired by Springfield College. During World War II, he took a leave of absence from to work in Washington, D.C., first with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and then with the Office of War Information, where he was in charge of propaganda for the Middle East. When he returned to Springfield College, he was hired as acting dean, director of admissions, and eventually the director of the graduate program. He retired in 1969 and moved to San Diego.
Identifier:
Arsenian_The Meaning of Humanics