http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/aug/18/willetts-universities-arts-and-humanties-subjects

We do not live in a world where science and art stare at each other across an unbridgeable divide. We are fortunate to have an extraordinarily broad research base in which different disciplines spark off each other. None of the complex challenges we face today – climate change, an ageing population, terrorism – will be solved by one subject alone. It is not just a matter of designing a low-carbon vehicle – you have to understand what makes people choose to drive it, or not. As soon as you are dealing with human behaviour you need the humanities. And above all, the arts and humanities are worthwhile in their own right. We should never lose the study of subjects such as medieval philosophy or ancient languages from our universities, because they enrich our understanding.

There is nothing niche about the study of what it is to be human. And research shows that employers really value the sorts of skills that a humanities degree hones. These include shaping a logical argument and then defending it when your essay is dismantled during class; resolving problems creatively; and writing, thinking and communicating clearly. All are infinitely transferable accomplishments, whether or not you think Socrates has any bearing in the boardroom.