The usefulness of literature and philosophy: a Renaissance view, which may still have some resonance.

Let me explain very briefly how useful and honorable the investigation of the liberal arts is for humanity, and also how delightful and splendid.

Even an ignorant person—not only a philosopher—sees and admits that people are rightly distinguished from beasts above all by reason. For what else so greatly helps, enriches and honors both the learned and the unlearned than the teaching and understanding of letters and the liberal arts? These things indeed not only separate people decisively from beasts, but so clearly distinguish people liberally and nobly educated from ignorant and crude per­sons, that certainly, in my mind, portraits and shadows differ in no greater measure from living and real people they depict than do educated persons from the foolish and unskilled….

But learned men, filled with a rich knowledge of divine and human things, turn all their thoughts and motions of the mind toward reason as its goal, and thus free their minds, given to so many anxieties, from every weakness. No longer subject to the innumerable weapons of fortune, they are fully prepared for living well and happily. They follow reason as a leader in all things, considering not only their own welfare in any situation, but also that of others, helping both privately and publicly, with diligent action and advice….

The study of literature polishes intelligence, illuminates and shapes the force of reason, either nearly erases or completely washes away every blemish of soul, and richly perfects its endowments, and adds great or­nament and beauty to the advantages of fortune and body. States and princes, moreover, who favor and cultivate these studies become much more humane, pleasing, and noble, and by doing so win for themselves a sweet reputa­tion for humanity. Those whose minds are crude and rough naturally become more civilized and polished by means of these studies, and often those who are boastful, impudent, and wanton because of material goods or goods bestowed on them by nature, acquire from the liberal arts modesty, gentleness, and a certain wonderful kindness toward all people. For just as places by nature rough and wild remain uncultivated, but by our work and care become not only fertile and fruitful but even delightful, likewise our minds are refined, polished, and glorified by the liberal arts.

Cassandra Fedele, “An Oration in Praise of the Liberal Arts” (ca. 1490) trans. M. King (revised)

For another Renaissance view, see here.