Why Study History?

[andresG]

I was assigned to write a paragraph on why history should be studied. Post your opinions on why we should study history.

This was my paragraph:

History must be studied in order to make proper decisions regarding our society. When studying history, we are studying, like Karl Marx said, "the activity of men pursuing their purposes." If we want to create a better world we must know about past human attempts to improve society. With knowledge about these past tries, we ourselves can think of ways to change the world and how things are run. This is proof that history is not dead. History is very much alive because we posses the power to change what is happening. Whether you have realized it or not, we are making history, which is a responsibility that should not be taken lightly.

[canikickit]

We can also learn from the mistakes of others. Such as Neville Chamberlain's inaction against Hitler.
hmmm...that seems quite important to be noted today.
Its also pretty interesting studying history, but I doubt that's relevant to the assignment.

[KickMcCann]

Einstein was a genius because he saw everything as relative. So you can look at history or international politics as the study of social relations between people on a much larger scale. In school, you might see a huddle of friends gossiping about fights, parties, school-yard bullies, love affairs, people they don't like, etc.......
Now look at the world, or the UN; you see countries discussing wars, world summits, international bullies/dictators, trade agreements and defense pacts between nations, countries they don't like, etc......
And the interaction of these friends/countries included in discussion or action.

Example:

School- one friend to another:
" Oh man, you won't believe who I made out
with at the John's party this weekend!"

OR

" Did you see that fight at John's party this
weekend? Travis got jumped by Ron and his
gang of friends. We oughta jump Ron and
Kick his ass for what he did to Travis"

History/politics- one country to another:
" you won't believe what country I got
a trade agreement with at the summit
in Johannesburg this weekend"

OR

"Did you hear what happened this
Weekend? Saddam Hussein and
Iraq invaded Kuwait, they killed and
robbed a large number of Kuwaitis.
We must declare war on Saddam
Hussein to punish for these acts"

History/politics and social interaction are all the same, just on different levels. If you can conquer one area, you'll probably be able to conquer the other.


(Edited by KickMcCann at 12:38 am on Sep. 19, 2002)

[Nickademus]

i know its an old cliche but you can't know where you're going until you know where you've been. i'm a true believer in that (but then again, my university degree is in history).

there are a couple of reasons why this is so (most of which have been pointed out.

basically we can learn from the mistakes and successes of others -- we can see what worked and what didn't work....and by knowing the historical context of something we can try to come to a better understanding of the more important question WHY......

history is really the study of humankind and its actions....

[Guardia Bolivariano]

To have a future you need to know the past.

[Field Marshal]

I like your paragraph.

It's also a study of why we are where we are right now.

[uth1984]

I like it all so far. Maybe use the marcus gravy quote
"A people without knowledge of their past is like a tree without roots."
I guess Im biased as well -- I'm studing history at University -- but I think that the more you study history, the more inspiration you get. I read about icons like trotsky, malcom X, MLK, and the thousands of others -- ordinary people how acted like heroes.

Also, we can learn from the past -- because of this, the victims of the past need not have died in vain. By studing how the Holocaust happened, we can now not be tempted by fascism's lies.

[uth1984]

Dropkick Murphies Lyric which seems to work now:

And so the story's told of a hearty group of men it's a tale of their triumphs and their woes. Be it raids and melees ancient or the modern worker's struggle that inspires men to stand up for their rights. And should we fall down by the wayside in this ever-changing world we can look back to these heroes of our past. With their staunch determination and ferocious iron will, no tyranny would quell them in their task.

It's an age-old situation with an ever-present message: that time and tide waiteth for no man. So without fear of confrontation of the consequence of outcome, it's for freedom and for happiness they toiled. An in looking to the future, we can see a better place where we can shake the yoke of tyranny for all. It's been paved by generations who have gone now to their rest. It's just remembrance of their dignity we ask.

Chorus:
So come on rally round this brave and valiant cause with tradition, pride, and honor at its core. With swords drawn to defend stood stood these noble-hearted men Faugh-an-ballagh, clear the way, me boys!!

Under perilous conditions with small hope of success they left behind the lives that they once led and by virtue of their fortitude and single-minded strength they cleared the way for the people of today so when we think back to our ancestors respectfully we hark and thank the men whose struggle broke the chain it's a long road up ahead of us - let's forge on while we're strong and leave our mark of honor once again

So the story has been told and it comes now to an end. It's setting any era, any land. When abusive tyrants force the hands of matters great or small, it inpires men to stand up for their rights.

(Heros from our past)

[PunkRawker677]

To keep an eye on the past is to be blind in one eye. To keep no eyes on the past is to be blind in both eyes.

[Wash Me]

~agreez with canikickit~

[Conghaileach]

What's that old saying? Those who fail to understand history are doomed to repeat it?

[Mazdak]

Oh yes, and old tricks might still be useful. For example, in modern warfare, sometimes it is wise to study ancient warfare. Things like the Fabian Strategy, formations, and types of assaults. Old strategies still are viable even in today's world.

[new democracy]

call me a nerd, dork, a dweep, but i just love history!!!!!

[deadpool 52]

Quote: from Mazdak on 7:04 am on Sep. 25, 2002
Oh yes, and old tricks might still be useful. For example, in modern warfare, sometimes it is wise to study ancient warfare. Things like the Fabian Strategy, formations, and types of assaults. Old strategies still are viable even in today's world.

Such as the ancient Chinese general's saying: It is better to lose a yard then gain an inch.

[redstar2000]

The history that means the most to me is the history of the international communist movement; and I have to confess that studying it is a fairly depressing exercise. Positive lessons are few and far between; negative lessons are too numerous to count.

I can't dispute that we ought to learn from history, though I'm sceptical that we are ever "doomed to repeat it" if we don't.

But think about revolutionary generations; would they have rebelled if they had been careful students of history? The "lesson of history" is that rebellions fail (nearly ALL of them have); another "lesson of history" is that winning is when your problems really begin and when you can lose everything you fought for in the very midst of victory.

I feel embarrassed to say it: study history...but not too much, lest you draw such discouraging conclusions that you never rebel at all. It is always possible that you will be the ones who change history; but not if you've already concluded that it can't be done, that the odds against it are too great.

[Dan Majerle]

excellent paragraph andresG. I am thoroughly impressed. Love your logo too.

[kingbee]

why be ignorant of what has happened. its true that without it, we would not learn from our mistakes.

[booga]

so one can know who the enemy is.

[IHP]

Its probably been said, but: we are always creating history. The present is built upon past, and the future will be past. Society is built upon innumerable occurances, and by learning history, we are expanding our knowledge of todays society, and learning not repeat past mistakes.

--IHP