Why Man Should Study History

Responsible adults study history

Why should man study history? Most of mankind may not think about that question, to any great extent. Many people around the globe, have never studied history and may never study it seriously, on an academic level.

Here are some reasons why man should study history:

Man can learn many valuable lessons from past history and apply what he has learned to the present and the future.

Man can increase his awareness of important changes always happening in the world.

Man can become increasingly in touch with his own reality, role and responsibility, as a human being.

Man can expand his future horizon and realize his full potential.

Man can find significance and meaning in his life and in the lives of others, by studying history.

Man can understand his place in the world and universe.

Many people feel that studying history is something that children need to do, when they are in school. As a result, as adults, their knowledge of history is lacking. What happens if a man does not continue to study history after childhood? An important part of his life would be missing.

Look at history, for just a moment.

History is something that is in the making, every day of a man's life. Either man is in touch with the reality of the changing world or he is not. Knowingly or unknowingly, he is recording history in his mind, as he reads newspapers, listens to the radio and watches television. That is only one way that man can study current history.

It is not just a matter of being informed and staying informed about day to day events, as they happen. It is important for everyone to know what has happened in the past, as well as what is happening, in the present. There are serious implications for the future.

We under-estimate our mental capacity to retain what we see or hear. Seldom do we stop to think that history-in-the-making, is an important part of what we are seeing or hearing. We would probably not refer to it as history, unless we thought about it seriously.

Recorded or documented history is man's understanding and interpretation of what has happened in the world or is currently happening. Unless a man studies history, as it is recorded or documented, it is not possible to know whether it is accurate.

Mankind must always place himself in a position to ask the following questions. Is what is recorded or documented in history, true? Is it biased, in some way? Has the truth been distorted, over time? What are the future implications?

Perceptions of history can vary and while one man's perception might tell one story, another man's perception might reveal something different. Glimpses into different records or documents, will show how different understandings of historical events have affected or altered the course of history, in some way.

Not every man wants to go back to school to study history. There is a small minority of people who choose to focus mainly on history or are devoted to teaching history to others. Some want absolutely nothing to do with history and prefer other pursuits.

Studying and what man studies is a matter of personal choice. Responsible adults will always choose a role of responsibility in the world and will study history.