The threat to the humanities
Madam, - Danny O'Hare's article in your edition of May 9th - "Humanities must fight back or face terminal decline" - contains, for all its urbanity and good sense, some highly questionable points .
Of course all subjects must "fight back": there is no subject, however popular today, which has not had to "fight back" against misconceptions, prejudices and folklore about its difficulty, usefulness and cost. Academics believe in their subjects and will fight for them, but they naturally assume that the State and society support subjects on which both depend.