These two fields are traditional literary fields. They often symbolize the link between the past and the present. As scientific subjects are more linked to the most recent discoveries… these two fields, together with history… are making us aware of the importance not to forget the past.
Contrary to mathematics for instance, philosophy doesn’t know progress. However great schools emerged. For instance the opposition between Plato and Aristotle knew a revival between Hegel and Marx. Philosophy is a fields which wants to link as much as possible. It can be a way to resist to what Ellul told about the supremacy of overspecialization. Classical literature is a way to link to the past as well. At a time of the importance of screens everywhere, ancient standards can be interesting to be adapted to the world of today.
The link between philosophy and literature is strong. For instance Aristotle wrote about poetry and the rules to follow. Great philosophers wrote as well about literature and arts. For instance Kant wrote in his criticism of the faculty to judge the idea of beauty which is ‘universally judging without concept’. Hegel wrote as well his book about esthetics. Nietzsche studied philology and the link between these two fields can be seen for instance in the way he writes his works. Sartre built as well greatly his works between literature and philosophy. Concerning great writer Balzac, who was renowned as a great observer, was often using philosophical considerations. The legacy of his time he left was as well judgemental and filled of philosophical considerations. The engaged literature of the XIXth century had a lot to do with ideology and political philosophy. For instance Hugo was a great precursor of socialism. Zola was also a great political voice at his time.
This link is also very ancient. During Antiquity the figure of greatly erudite and good man was praised : for instance Zenon was greeted by his contemporaries. Concerning literature the Iliade and the Odysseus were learned by the young greeks during centuries. It was a basis for other fields including philosophy.
An example of this common ground is the interest to grammar. Philosophy studied logics a great deal while literature has always given a great role to this field. It is the reason why studying languages has been a real common ground between these two fields. The humanist of the Renaissance wanted to go back to the basis of Antique studies. At the same time Luther wanted to go back to study Anciant Greek and Biblical Hebrew.
These two fields bring a lot to each other and can learn a lot today. They can give many positive thing in our time dominated by screen and social media. They can also give us responses to learn to manage the more and more uncertain world we live in.
The observer 