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bellkarleo
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发表于 2009-8-16 22:22:55 |只看该作者

机考时间：8月31日
地点：长沙
有生以来第一篇ISSUE，是字数最少的一篇。
TOPIC: ISSUE120 - "So much is new and complex today that looking back for an understanding of the past provides little guidance for living in the present."
WORDS: 409

Absolutely, there is so much new and complex in today's world. But does it mean the past is irrelevant for living in the present, like the speaker's assertion? I disagree on the speaker's claim.

Admittedly, history can not be served to address some social problem, such as the racial discrimination and crime or violence which still remains in our society despite every generation's efforts to eliminate them.

However, Confucius once said “We can not lose the faith to see the world just because a leaf coving our eyes” which means it is the main aspects we should pay more attention to, but some little opposite things. Limited as the power of history is, there is no doubt that the past can provide us huge benefits. One good example that supports my viewpoint is the inspiration of history. Let's look back some dynasties in the history of China. Qin Shihuang, the first emperor in China, establishing the Qin Dynasty, is also a famous oppressor in the history. Although his kingdom was powerful, it was soon destroyed after Qin Shihuang's dead due to his inhumane dominion. Nevertheless, Song Dynasty, during which common people were richer than ever before, didn't escape the destiny of being destroyed too. The main reason of that is its frail national defense. So the history tells us both humanistic government and reliable national defense are necessary.

Furthermore, studying the past of a nation is a effective approach to understand its culture. Every people is motivated to consider a culture by their own way and overwhelmingly has some biases about it without the background of its history, which has negative impact on not only research but also harmony between two nations. According to "The Clash of Civilizations" written by Samuel P Huntington: "The underlying causes of conflict are no longer ideology but cultural differences. The decisive force behind the conflict is also not simply national interests, but the specific nature of a culture hidden in the national interests." Thus how to deal with the clash among different cultures is the key to build a promising and peaceful future, with which studying the past of a nation is the best way to deal. Meanwhile, patriotism can be cultivated by studying one’s own history.

All in all, studying the past has significant guidance for living in the present. Therefore, I strongly hold my opinion that a better understanding of the past can leads to a firmer grasp of the future.