Issue103 By WDI小组 xydeng

xydengUID: 2472724

Issue 103: "The study of history has value only to the extent that it is relevant to our daily lives."

Whether history study has value only to the extent that is relevant to our daily lives? The discussion of this issue among scholars and populace as a whole has come into vogue. People's opinions are divergent on such controversial problem. In my point of view, while the author's statement has merit, I maintain that prediction and disseminating traditional cultural advantages might be the most important value on history study.

Admittedly, the study of history on what is relevant to our daily lives is conducive. Such studies causes a better understand about life and bring us highly awareness of contemporary pressing life problem. Water history is a good case. If we'd better know about the history of water resource, we may inform a scientific awareness for saving rather than over-spending.

However, emphasizing practicality of history study may lead us regardless the responsibility of history study. Influencing our daily lives might be not the most significant purpose of learning history. History study is the most efficient way to understand our own country and present societies. As a citizen of a nation, we should not only know about how to make a better live, but also truly understand our country and cultures, because the progress of human species is not only a progress of life's quality, but also a progress of our own culture and civilization. Compared with the history between eastern and western world, contemporary Chinese intellects gradually realize the drawbacks and benefits in inward Confucian spirits. Then they begin a great reform to rebuild China based on this historical comparison. The event informs us history study might employ a essential positive effect on culture rebuilding.

History is also a source of prediction and precedent, and avoids us repeating the same mistake that had been made in the human society. This proposition can be summarized in one Chinese old saying that "Reading history makes us wise." Today's civilization of human species is based on a history of thousands years. Current and future problem in our society may also occur in the quite long human history. Predecessors' successful experience can direct our behaviors, while their errs also can cause us take a highly awareness. History informs people in developing countries that "You would be defeat, if you were poor". In order to avoid repeating the same mistake, the people now work hard to develop their industry to strengthen their own power. In our society, most successful political leaders are usually outstanding history learner, and considerable large part of wise generals is good at military history. Because they can benefit a lot from learning predecessors' experience as references.

To sum up, overextending the practicality of history studies are counterproductive, even harmful. While the author's statement has merit, I maintain that prediction and disseminating traditional cultural advantages might be the most important value on history study.