Historians do not perform heart transplants, improve highway design, or arrest criminals. In a society that quite correctly expects education to serve useful purposes, the functions of history can seem more difficult to define than those of engineering or medicine. History is in fact very useful, actually indispensable, but the products of historical study are less tangible, sometimes less immediate, than those that stem from some other disciplines.Peter Stearns
What are your thoughts on the above quotes?
History is in fact useful as you can see and understand how changes to a society is made, an example of this is the bay of pigs invasion in Cuba, or even the 1990's and 1970's coups in Trinidad. Through looking at history you can understand why these events take place and possibly help prevent future "like" events from happening; however sadly this task is seen as only the job of sociologist and such professions and not seeing the part that history has to truly play.
ReplyDeleteHistory provides us with a wealth of knowledge of things that have been. These narratives are derived subjectively from the individuals who lived the events and the historians who studied them. Although there may not be a proper scientific value for history, we must note that the impact of this knowledge on society is timeless. Historians may not be able to influence the society they dwell in but this information may be of great value and interest to a future generation. As history itself has revealed, attitudes and principles do not predict behaviour. It is therefore difficult to empirically evaluate ones interest in the past. Every individuals perception of things differ as we draw conclusions from our own
ReplyDeletecognition. Ones view of the relevance of history would contrast another. Nevertheless as any other instrument for education historical data is fundamental and should be available in our quest for knowledge.
My thoughts on the quotes are that history plays an important role.It helps individuals to understand people and society as a result of the information it presents .it provide us with the knowledge to understand the changes in our society based on the factors that may have taken place at an earlier time and try to prevent it from occurring.
ReplyDeleteI agree that history is more of an educative discpline.But even though it is educative it is stil important. Just like any other displine it has its purpose. The knowledge of the past is very important for various reasons and it helps society keep track of important and memorable events.Because the results of this discipline is not immediate, it proves that to work within this displine requires patience. Without patience, facination, motivation and the willingness to learn,the study of history will be purposeless to many.
ReplyDeleteWhen thought of on its own History and its actual usefulness would seem to be very dull and useless scenarios which deserve to remain dead and buried after all they really do not affect who we are today, or do they? Both these gentlemen are correct in recognizing that History’s tangibility is very difficult to define but the fact remains that because someone in the past took the time to record the first attempt at organ transplant and its results or the journey from one place to another and the difficulties endured then and only then were we able to come by the miracles of modern science and engineering today. So I think that History and Historians do perform heart transplants and improve highway designs etc. by the mere fact of documenting the knowledge gained by the first attempts at these quests they shape the doctors, engineers etc. of today.
ReplyDeleteBoth quotes are quite accurate and succinct. History's effect may be more subliminal than tangible but it is just as important and has as much an effect (negative and positive) as any other taught discipline. As such, while history effect on a person's attitude and subsequent direction in life may not be as evident as medical training, for example, it's obvious (to me at least) that a knowledge of the past failings and successes of earlier humans would surely assist present humans in the way they carry on their business dealings, lives etc. History gives us the opportunity to learn for OTHER'S mistakes; what can be more valuable than that?
ReplyDeleteLike any knowledge gained, how we utilize the information is what makes the difference and history is no different. We must generate interest in any bit of knowledge for it to take on life, be it history, technology, biology or any subject matter. All knowledge will sit useless if others are not taught and interest not generated. The value of a bit of information is not in the exposure one has to the subject matter but in how it is utilized. Persons must not only be exposed to history but explore options on how to use the information gleaned. Even scientific knowledge does nothing for humanity if it is not utilized. It is true as the quote said that the imapact of history is less tangible than other areas of study but we must remember that these tangible evidence often comes after years of trial and error and studies before discoveries and knowledge gleaned could be put to significant use. So it should be with historical information. Historians and individuals should explore how to best use the information of our past to affect our present and our future. The results can be astounding. The effects of history affect not just the time of occurrence but ripples across time. We can learn from the successes and mistakes of the past and be better prepared to handle our present and our future. This single aspect of history can have significant impact on present and future genereations. Yes the effects of history may be less tangible but once the information is adequately utilized the effect is no less significant.
ReplyDeleteHistory does have an educative purpose but with that education it provides groundwork for future investigations and research. People use historical information to learn more about their roots and history has also made an impact on the shaping of the world today. With history one can gain knowledge about different cultures and be open minded to the fact that history displays the uniqueness and creativity of individuals. From historical backgrounds, it displays a framework of what was needed to be done in order to improve the systems of society today, that is why we have doctors specialized in different fields and the technological innovations to assist in the production of different developments and infrastructure. History has provided us with memorial events that impacted on the world and still plays a great significance to future times.
ReplyDeleteHistory is one the most important and educative things that man has invented since time began. Without it we will not be able to know what happen in the past. for instance the bible, one of the oldest books of history, moved on from one generation to the next, teaches us the value of Christianity.Both quotation was so an understatement about historian are no scientist, but their work and output to history also play an important part of it to continuation; like slavery if it was not writing or passed from generation to generation will not be able to know the torture our ancestors when though and happen to them. So man could not live without history.
ReplyDeleteI agree with G. M. Trevelyan for the most part. More so today than ever before, the world seems to be settling into a trend that is governed by such notions as, 'What you don't know can't hurt you' and 'Ignorance is bliss.' For our own sakes and to keep us from repeating past mistakes, I believe that it is the burden of the responsible historian to at least disseminate the knowledge that they have uncovered from the past to the wider society; for it is truly in looking back that we can move forward.
ReplyDeleteThe second quote, in my estimation, belittles the impact of the historian. The import of their work is of such gravity that it may as well have been them who "...perform heart transplants, improve highway design, or arrest criminals." Their chronicling of mankind's past successes and failures have equipped practitioners in these professions as well as countless others with the framework within which they can perfect their art to the benefit of society at large. The historians' work therefore is no less tangible than those of any other field. Indeed, it provides the knowledge upon which civilisation owes its very existence.
I agree that history is educative, and that we do not do those things, but without history where would we be today. It is this history that was taught and handed down by our ancestors, that give us a sense of who we are and what we can become through knowledge and understanding of our past and present. We might say that it is difficult to define history , but how can we define something that was lost, stolen or hidden from us through time. Without proof we can only continue to research and investigate the known and the unknown,to come up with answers to questions that continue to intrigue us. History maybe tangible but we can still achieve the impossible through knowledge. Through our knowledge of history and not ignorance of it, can lead us to become better persons or it can also lead us to nowhere.So the work of historians is still very much important for us today.
ReplyDeleteI have never really been interested in history but I honestly think that it has a high degree of utility in the realm of academia, as well in holistic understanding of the things around us and behavioural patterns of people. At face value, History may seem to be worthless in academia however; it allows us to gain an appreciation of historical events and evolution. Therefore, I will agree with the G. M. Trevelyan that historians would've only educated themselves if they don’t transmit history to the public. On the other hand, any knowledge or understanding that is not shared can be considered to have only self worth which diminishes its value. Therefore, scholars of different disciplines would’ve also failed if they fail/neglect to share what they have learnt to others/the public.
ReplyDeleteLike gold History has value; whether we recognize it or not. It is the foundation upon which we live in the present and plan with the future in mind. History has paved the way for what is currently our livelihood and although we may not have had anything to do with it, the precedent was already set. History as it is might not necessarily have any beneficial palpable consequences as a result of its study (when compared to medical science etc)but rather its value is incomparable for dictating the course of time, which is something we are all participants in. Historians regardless of educating the public or not are not the ones who place value on history. If educating people is what it does than by far it is important enough because then I will know what are the next steps I should take.
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ReplyDeleteHistory serves many purposes. Scientific value should not be the only yardstick used to state that a fact is educating or not. Whilst it is deemed a "boring" subject, we have been able to learn, rewrite, adapt and continue what was started from it and add to it. History has aroused different feelings in people. Some go on to right what was wronged or to make what was started better. The second quote likens History to an actual individual as a subject can't perform an act. Clearly, there is a bias there. Without historical writings, all the disciplines he stated would be non-existent, inaccurate or primitive.
ReplyDeleteThis quote from G. M. Trevelyan made me in fact examine my thoughts to see if I fully understood what he was saying and if I agreed with him. After careful thought it is indeed safe to say that I think this statement is true. History can only affect the thinking of the world around us if it is shared. History can be a teacher in anything one wants to learn. To me, historians can’t perform a heart transplant but they can perform an intellect transplant, impacting the world through the trend of thought therefore sometimes creating a new perspective. An example of this is the history of Jesus’s life and teachings that has impacted and changed so many lives.
ReplyDeleteIn no offense to G.M. Trevelyan and Peter Sterns, but I am in strong disagreement with their views as it pertains to history. How dare they try to make history a pariah, when the whole concept of science itself derived from within the bosoms of history!
ReplyDeleteAccording to Mr. Stearns, “Historians do not perform heart transplants, improve highway design… engineering or medicine…” History is the foundation on which the future builds on. Engineers had to study history to have a clearer understanding of the simple mechanics of the past in order to morph it into the modern technology of today. The herbs our native ancestors used had to be analyzed before the thought of commercial medicine could come into existence. If the personages of today studied their history to see what methods worked (pertaining to government) and what methods didn’t, the future might have been much ‘brighter’ so to speak.
History gave birth to all these occupations of today. It is completely accurate that history is ‘indispensable’, and it would be easy to define once people treat history like it is supposed to be treated; equally combined, complimenting each other.
History is without a doubt very important. History reminds us of our past, the struggles and victories of our foreparents and the freedoms that we now enjoy because of their perseverance. The fruits of History is not always immediately seen, it sometimes reqires patience, but the results from those fruits are undeniably quite transparent and lasting. Fairlyn
ReplyDeleteI have loved History since my first History class in form one. The study of History is remarkable in that it provides a wealth of knowledge about the past. It offers information which can spur thought provoking discussions and arguments. I believe that you cannot know where you are going unless you know where you've been. Historical findings/postulations offer a choice... Do you believe? or Do you disbelieve? Historical evidence/knowledge is valuable. We can learn from mistakes, chart a course for our future and appreciate how far we have come.
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