Issue103有拍必回！

yanamourUID: 2767665

TOPIC: ISSUE103 - "The study of history has value only to the extent that it is relevant to our daily lives."
WORDS: 518
TIME: 1:08:04
DATE: 2010-2-24

When asked whether the history is useful or not, the author answers that history has value only when it is pertinent to our daily lives.
To some extent, it is true, however, to make an inclusive conclusion, I think the study of history is beneficial in, and more often than not beyond, our daily lives.

Admittedly, history about economic, technological and societal development which is relevant to our lives is of significant importance. Studying history of these areas provides us lessons of the trends of development and teaches us
avoid repeating the same mistakes. An apt illustration involves the Chernobyl' accident. The disaster in Chernobyl, which contaiminated most part of Europe and cost large amount of money on the health care problem of the native people, raised us the concern about using radioactive material safely. From this historical event we should be aware of maintaining a balance between the development of technology and the preservation of environment. This example illustrates that the studying of history revelant to our daily life can be a motivator for us to consider problems comprehensively and systematically, and from this point history connected with our lives is absolutely valuable.

Granted that history germane to daily life is valuable, the author's assertion that history is of no importance when it comes to the area beyond the quotidian life, is unfair and somewhat pragmatism. The meaning of studying history beyond our lives amounts not only to teach us how to tackle everyday affairs effeciently, it also rooted in expanding our personal experience, informing us the diversity of societies, values and traditions and sharpening our critical yet tolerant thinking abilities. One apt illustration involves a Chinese military treatise named “The Art of War”, which is written by Sun Tzi during 6 century BC. This book seems irrelevant to us because it is so far away from our modern life both in the age and content, whereas it exerts a huge influence on the Estern military thinkig and business tactics to make the commanders and leaders effective and wise. Without the studying of history beyond our everyday lives, which seems have nothing to do with us, the myopia of our thought would breed misunderstanding, poverty and extinction.

Making this issue a reasonable one, we should realize the genuine purpose of studying history. The impetus for us to find out the details of historical trends and the meaning of great events lies in far more than just accurately reconstructing the past of human beings, it also embracing our dream of developing society towards prosperity and advancing personal ability to a high level. Only through history could we understand how things change; only through history could we begin to comprehend what is the factor of the changes; only through history could we begin to recognize what persists in our society and people despite changes. In short, the study of the past comes from the desire for a better future. Hence, if we can obtain a beneficial inspiration or intent from history, why must we care whether it is revelant to our daily lives or not?

After analyzing all the aspects of this issue I hope I have managed to clarify my opinion towards the author's assertion. Studying history in and beyond our daily lives all have conseqential values as other societal science and humanities. And the very motivation for us to study history, the desire to learn from the past and to fulfill a better future, is what we should ultimately emphasize in this issue.

yanamourUID: 2767665

连成一段了 不好意思