49 replies to this topic

[kobolds]

Today this question come out from my head , is there a benefit from studying history ? other than fun to know what had happened in the past I couldn't think out anything that it actually help in my life. except for small number of people that working in that sector , for majority it totally useless .

what do you think, am I wrong?

[Sir Wearer of Hats]

Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it

[Colonel Rhuairidh]

Wearer of Hats, on 13 January 2013 - 09:35 AM, said:

Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it

I was just about to say that. One thing it does show very well is that people (or at least, Governments) never really change, and their motivations and desires (e.g. for "living space", control of reources, or sheer egotism) don't really change. This could cause existential angst, it is true, that things never seem to be moving steadily towards the sunlit uplands of a new era in human consciousness, but on the other hand it can be rather reassuring in that it shows that anything that happens has probably happened before, somewhere. It also shows very clearly that any Political system never lasts forever, and empires inevitably decline and fall, so it gives a sense of perspective of the ephemeral nature of earthly powers, and that however idiotic Leaders may be, they and their systems won't last for ever.

[Asadora]

History is a roadmap with reviews in the legend. The legend will tell you what other people thought at the time. For you to experience the roadmap of history, something must inspire you for that is how you will know to go there.
Unfortunately, I do not believe there is an app for this.

[G Donnelly]

kobolds, on 13 January 2013 - 09:13 AM, said:

Today this question come out from my head , is there a benefit from studying history ? other than fun to know what had happened in the past I couldn't think out anything that it actually help in my life. except for small number of people that working in that sector , for majority it totally useless .

what do you think, am I wrong?

I wouldn't thought it was totally useless because what happens if you want to trace your family line.
However if your thinking about earning a steady wage I'm sure there's better subjects out there.
If you want to continue down this road you'll either up a professor or an archeologist.
You can even write your own books being an historian and end up being a specialist in a certain era.
But tbh the most important thing about history is learning from mistakes and trying to avoid them.
Your not going to be filthy rich but a little hindsight is a good thing.
Tbh it's more useful than advanced trigomentary so keep plugging away.
If it's not to your taste attempt to study something else.

[StarMountainKid]

I think learning the history of the human race is essential to an intelligent mind. I would think the reasons this is so would be obvious.

[ealdwita]

As an ex-History lecturer, I can think of no cogent reason to study history other than that it kept me in beer and steaks for 35 years! So everybody get to your History classes and help a starving lecturer!

[Tiggs]

History gives us the context to understand the world in which we live and how we got there; it grounds us.

It shows us that we are not locked in to the systems that surround us - that we can always strive to be better.

It shows that there are individuals that can make a difference.

It gives us a sense of hope - a sense that regardless of how bad things may become, humanity will always prevail.

"When I despair, I remember that all through history, the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time, they seem invincible but in the end, they always fall - think of it, always!" - Ghandi.

[TheLastLazyGun]

History isn't useless.

Why should we be ignorant about our past and about the past of our nations?

Why shouldn't schoolchildren be taught about WWII and about how we saved ourselves from Nazi rule?

Why shouldn't we know about why Britain is today a Protestant nation and not a Catholic one (because of Henry VIII's break with Rome in 1534)?

Why shouldn't we not know these things?

I love history.  I'm currently reading "A History of Ancient Britain" by Neil Oliver.

Edited by TheLastLazyGun, 21 January 2013 - 05:12 PM.

[ruiomichlet]

Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it

[G Donnelly]

ruiomichlet, on 22 January 2013 - 05:44 AM, said:

Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it

The American military complex should heed those pearls of wisdom..

They should have studied how the Russians succumbed to the mahajaddin.

They should have studied how they succombed in the Vietnamese jungles.
They didn't and just repeated the mistakes in Afghanistan.
And this bit of advice is also meant for their coalition partners in crime the British.

Edited by Medium Brown, 22 January 2013 - 12:41 PM.

[Colonel Rhuairidh]

Medium Brown, on 22 January 2013 - 12:40 PM, said:

The American military complex should heed those pearls of wisdom..

They should have studied how the Russians succumbed to the mahajaddin.

They should have studied how they succombed in the Vietnamese jungles.
They didn't and just repeated the mistakes in Afghanistan.
And this bit of advice is also meant for their coalition partners in crime the British.

Indeed, military intervention on the 'Stan by the great Powers doesn't havea very inspiring record... http://en.wikipedia....reat_from_Kabul

[Frank Merton]

ruiomichlet, on 22 January 2013 - 05:44 AM, said:

Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it

Yes.  Another similar problem is that those who do know history tend to repeat it anyway.

[Frank Merton]

Tiggs, on 14 January 2013 - 02:21 PM, said:

"When I despair, I remember that all through history, the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time, they seem invincible but in the end, they always fall - think of it, always!" - Ghandi.

Wow!  I don't doubt you that he said that, but it is wonderful how so shrewd a man could sound so naive.

I think we tend to think the good guys have always won, because they won, not because they were the good guys.  Constantine's triumph helped end the ancient world and bring on an age of suffering and ignorance in Europe.  It is hard to look at this and say that the good guys won, but one can if one has a long enough perspective -- maybe the Dark Ages were necessary for some reason or another.

We are not guaranteed that good will triumph.  We must work for it.

[ealdwita]

Frank Merton, on 23 January 2013 - 09:53 AM, said:

maybe the Dark Ages were necessary for some reason or another.

The greatest misnomer in history!!!