The term "the humanities" generally refers to fields of study that explore human culture and society, including literature, history, philosophy, and art. However, there are many synonyms and related terms used to describe these areas of study. For example, the term "liberal arts" is often used to describe a broad range of humanistic subjects, while the term "social sciences" is often used to describe more empirical fields of study related to human behavior and society. Other related terms might include "cultural studies," "humanistic inquiry," or "intellectual history." While the precise definition of the humanities may vary, it is clear that these fields of study are all concerned with understanding and exploring what it means to be human.