by Adam Jones

Created on: June 02, 2007

The past can often be seemingly irrelevant. Studying it implies the accumulation of historical knowledge for the individual and there are many who will be prepared to devote much time to the study of history. Historians contribute a careers worth of work towards it and feel strongly justified for doing so. There is a strong and complex argument in favor of the study of history. Why should we study it?

The world of today has been crafted by history, developments and changes over time have had eventual effects on what we know as society today. The comforts and privileges of the modern day we often assume to be mandatory were often inconceivable at other points in world history. Studying history can help us put the aspects of today's world in a new light. Many feel it is important to build up an understanding of how we came to be who we are, what sort of environments our ancestors would have know, and things they would have experienced. The Historian Evans said "History is about bridging gaps in time, culture and experience, through the use of disciplined historical imagination" This explanation is very much the essence of history. Another key element we must look at is the use of history as a lesson, helping us against repeating the same mistakes in the future. This perspective views the study of history as a source of wisdom, a wisdom that carries great value in the modern world. Just about every historian would agree to that assessment and thus they share a strong argument for the study of history.

However there are some who see the study of history as a meaningless practice, and have drawn rather contrasting opinions on the subject, to those of the historians. Some see the recordings of history (especially ancient history) to be based on lose evidence, such as artifacts alone. Historians are often accused of paying to much attention to the political and military side of history, and by doing so ignoring the social' side. They are also accused of being biased in their accounts of historical information, such as the portrayal of war in history books. Also there are some who would argue that observing history actually doesn't protect us from repeating past mistakes as history fails to repeat itself- concluded historical events wont be paralleled by any events of the future. This means that people cannot implement any knowledge of the past in the context of the present day, thus meaning gaining this knowledge is relatively useless. Of course this idea is highly contestable

Should we study history?- Yes. There are solid enough reasons to persist with the study of history and attention to it should not be underestimated as a benefactor. After weighing up both arguments the first seems more agreeable. "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" - George Santaya

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