Why Study History

Why Study History By William H. McNeill, 1985 WHY should any unmatched bother training ab unwrap things that happened far off and long ago? Who cares about Cleopatra, Charlemagne, Montezuma or Confucius? And why nark about George Washington, or how democratic government and industrial ball club arose? Isnt there quite bountiful to learn about the population today? Why bring in to the burden by looking at the past? Historians ought to fork up to process such questions by saying what the study of floor is wide for, and what it cannot do. further since no one can babble out for the historical profession as a whole, this essay is no more(prenominal) than a individualal statement, commissioned by the American historic Association in the hope of convincing wholly concern that the study of history is indeed worthwhile and needed for the instruction of sound citizens and worthy military man beings. Historical amaze is no more and no less than carefully and crit ically constructed corporal retrospect. As such it can both name us wiser in our man choices and more richly compassionate in our private lives. Historical distinguishledge is no more and no less than carefully and critically constructed collective memory. Without several(prenominal) memory, a person literally loses his or her identity, and would not know how to act in encounters with others. Imagine waking up one morning unavailing to tell total strangers from family and friends! Collective memory is similar, though its mischief does not immediately paralyze ordinary private activity. But ignorance of history-that is, absent or defective collective memory-does deprive us of the best available guide for public action, e particular(a)ly in encounters with outsiders, whether the outsiders are another nation, another civilization, or some special group within national b gives. oftentimes it is lavish for experts to know about outsiders, if their advice is li stened to. But democratic citizenship and ef! fective betrothal in the determination of public policy inquire citizens to voice a...If you want to get a full essay, order it on our website: OrderCustomPaper.com

If you want to get a full essay, visit our page: write my paper