Why Study History?

Why study the struggles that humanity has engaged to arrive at this point in our journey?

History provides various interpretations of the journey.

History is a vital part of a liberal education, which provides depth and breadth of comprehension regarding what being human is about.

History places the struggles into a comprehensible context.

History helps us comprehend change and the dialectic of that change.

We live in the ‘effect’ of a ‘cause’ and we will become the cause of the effect which is the future. History places this cause and effect series into a pattern that facilitates comprehension.

History facilitates insight into human nature.

“History is essential to the traditional objectives of the liberal arts, the quest for wisdom and virtue.”

“There is another reason to study history: it's fun. History combines the excitement of exploration and discovery with the sense of reward born of successfully confronting and making sense of complex and challenging problems.”
--Frank Luttmer (1996) http://history.hanover.edu/why.html

Hi coberst,

History is not fun for everyone. That maybe some peoples opinion but not of many.

For all the reasons outlined, history is beneficial.

But history is the narrative or translators perspective, and this should be born in mind. Cultural differences vary magna in historical corpora and literatures.

Furthermore, its the understanding according to ones knowledge and mainly in terms of ones interpretation. History portrays cultures using similar words which we utilize now, but incorporating a complete change of idiolect's & meaning. The core values of language are VERY different in history, with some toxicology's clearly being taboo to death for usage. While now, they may feel and look perfectly fine.

History, certainly is to drive and facilitate pure wisdom, in forms incomprehensible, yet sharp.

History portrays the the achievements of mankind, and the phases of development in and of the human mind.

History puts in perspective what we are, and how we came about. How our ancestors toiled and foiled hardships.

History makes one realize and make most of what we have above anyone of previous or modern eras.

History makes one thankful & grateful to the appropriate ones deserving.

Everyone should study history, bearing the chance to.

Thanks.

Bang4the..

Well said.

Everything IS history!
It allows us to build upon the discoveries of those who went before.
Learn from yesterday to make today better.
We may not remember all the facts, but as long as we study the results then we can proceed.

By "study" I must assume you mean learn and remember.

History as I have seen it taught tends to be more geo-political than other studies.
Lots of who and when...personalities as expressed in various relation to other personalities as formed and acted out at certain states of sophistication (or lack thereof).

Sciences often include personalities but as they tie in with other personalities in technology. history!

Mathematics rarely includes personalities, yet are presented in chronological order
as they were discovered. 1+1=2..2+2=4..2X4=8..whole numbers, fractions,
geometry, trigonometry, calculus etc!! history!

Those who fail to study history are doomed to repeat it!?
True failure to study history would have us trapped at a mentality somewhere less than a hamster. World would be less than remembering if that in front of us is something to: Eat, Fight, Have sex with or hide behind.

I do have problems with those who feel that they are suitable to decide that certain history is to be altered or deleted.
Bruce