Issue48 The study of history places too much emphasis on individuals. The most significant events and trends in history were made possible not by the famous few, but by groups of people whose identities have been long forgotten.
When unfolding a history book or record,we would be attracted by numerous stories and events about the elites.
Recently some argue that the study of history draw too much attention on individuals claiming that the most substantial incidents in history were made by groups of people rather than few individuals. In my mind, both the individuals and the mass play a vital role in building the history, and historians have their grounds in recording the few ones.
On one hand, the effect of the countless mass in pushing the heels of history could not be superseded and denied by any one of us. Without the public who have the most powerful energy, it is totally impossible to enable a great deal of huge events to reality simply based on individuals, though their voice might be louder than others respectively. In Civil War, if only Abraham Lincoln propose to abolish slavery without:mighty north troops' assistance, defeating the south potency may leave to be a dream.
On the other hand, the famous few create a number of significant events or influence his later time profoundly with their peerless wisdom, insight and judicial judgment. (Can you imagine how the world would become if Hitler has never existed? Maybe World War Two would not happen; large numbers of Jew would not be slaughtered; Einstein would have not come to American; Germany might be stronger than anyone in Europe. I am not sure whether this example is appropriate?) Without the wise leadership of Zhang Ruiming who bring out the famous brand strategy, Haier cannot achieve an international success from a small factory in Tsingtao. In respect of the discoveries and inventions throughout the history, it is always the individuals who contribute to them. Newton who is enlightened by the apple fell down to the ground discovers the Law of Gravity on his own, Darwin think out the greatest idea of the evolving of species without anyone's help.
I could comprehend the reasons why historians prefer to write down these few ones. First, writing down the deeds of the famous few is always a easier and more helpful thing for there are a lot of records about them; Second, due to these few always are the leaders and a crucial part of the mass, investigating them is also a good measure to reflect the mass; Third, the famous few’s stories could be set as examples to enlighten and spur descendants.
In sum, the famous few and the public together create history. Without the public, the individuals are difficult to realize their great idea. Without the few ones, certain, profound events could not occur either. Nevertheless, historians pay more attention on individuals on several grounds that should be admitted.
发表于 2010-4-11 16:38:10
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