0910G【Try Best】第二小组 issue221 by tianshi02

tianshi02UID: 2362794

Since as early as kindergarten, we havebeen studying and talking about historic stories and figures. Why are weinterested in past events? The speaker asserts that the study of history primarily reveals the insignificant difference between people in one period of time and people who lived at any other time in history. However, my heartfelt opinion is that the goal of history study is not merely about revealing the consistent human nature, but to help people resolve the current and future issues sensibly and understand the evolution of human civilization.

First, I accede the study of history could illustrate that people's behaviors have been driven by the fundamental human nature that has never changed throughout the course of history. From the nomadic tribes thousands of years ago, to the later sparsely settled society,to the today's populated cities and bustling towns, the means of acquiring food has shifted from hunting to agriculture to high-tech mass production. However,people's desire for food has never changed. Stimulated by this fundamental need, people's violent impulses, selfish behaviors have be demonstrated by many historic stories. Moreover, stealing, killing and other crimes are ubiquitous in all societies throughout the human history.

Is the revelation of human nature the goalof history? I don't think it is the goal of history study, but it is the very premise of it. Since human nature seldom changes, historians can take advantage of the rich body of historic information to analyze
and ameliorate the current society. Suppose we are in a peaceful time, how can we study the impact of war without the historic records? Study of history makes it known to all that the war is undesirable due to its destruction, and thus help prevent stupid human destructions. Political leaders certainly need to know the history of overturned government, in order not to repeat the failures. Businessmen want to know the successful paradigm in the past. One important goal of studying history is providing a mirror for people to look to, and thus maximizing the possibility of success and reduce that of failure when people are dealing with thorny current or future problems.

Equally important is the role of history that helps understand the evolution of human civilization. Even though human nature doesn’t change a lot, it is no doubt that the society advances. I have never heard of the occurrence of cannibal behavior in today’s societies, which is the practice of many uncivilized societies in the past. The history shows us that more than two thousand years ago, Confucius, the brilliant philosopher and educationalist of China, created a far-reaching impact on people’s education,values and so on, especially in East Asia. Very few people can compare with his contribution to the civilization of societies. Throughout the human history, people are increasingly interested in artistic values, as opposed to being obsessed with material indulgence. Art is created to touch people. Masterpieces of art help people know about the innermost feelings and the foibles of humans. Education and art, prove an effective way to heighten people’s moral life, and thus to lessen human’s vicious desires, as evidenced by world history. Understanding the evolution of human civilization is , undoubtedly, more meaningful than simply being aware of the fact that people are almost the same in any period of time.

In the final analyses, it is an excellent observation that people in one period of time is not significantly different from people in any other time in history. However, this is not the only thing historians are endeavoring to demonstrate. Based on this observation, history,as an abundant source of human behaviors, can tell us how humans and societies function. Thus, the study of history can help people make better decisions whenwe are trying to resolve current and future issues. Furthermore, history has also witnessed the evolutionary process of human civilization and societies, which is interesting to all human beings.

CharlesHuUID: 2638360

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