history...important?

**King Arthur** · 05-30-2005, 06:14

Originally Posted by Papewaio

Who rules the stupid?

who rules the stupid?

the stupid = George .W.Bush

and i quote
99% of Americas imports come from abroad''

I believe human beings and fish can co-exist peacefully''

**Gregoshi** · 05-30-2005, 06:48

Let's keep politics out of the discussion.

On topic: although you have a interesting point King Arthur and can find many examples of us not learning from history, I think the majority of us, both the intelligent and the stupid, at least try to learn from history. Many fail for a variety of reasons but at least they try. Some of history's lessons have no easy solution or maybe no known solution at all (yet). History lessons in areas like science and engineering are easier to learn from than those involving the complexities of the human mind. But as humans we are constantly striving to better ourselves and just because something is "impossible" doesn't mean we won't stop trying to overcome the impossible. History is the foundation for such efforts and a measuring stick too. So, yes, history is important.

**L`zard** · 05-30-2005, 06:58

[QUOTE=Gregoshi]Let's keep politics out of the discussion.]

At least the modern slanderous version, please! (heya greggo!)

IMO philosophy and politics at some point touch, but let's be gentle about the dividing line gents.....

(ouch, sorry for the double, eh? And should not this thread be moved to the nearest bar or something?)

**King Arthur** · 05-30-2005, 15:36

Originally Posted by Gregoshi

Let's keep politics out of the discussion.

On topic: although you have a interesting point King Arthur and can find many examples of us not learning from history, I think the majority of us, both the intelligent and the stupid, at least try to learn from history. Many fail for a variety of reasons but at least they try. Some of history's lessons have no easy solution or maybe no known solution at all (yet). History lessons in areas like science and engineering are easier to learn from than those involving the complexities of the human mind. But as humans we are constantly striving to better ourselves and just because something is "impossible" doesn't mean we won't stop trying to overcome the impossible. History is the foundation for such efforts and a measuring stick too. So, yes, history is important.

agreed Gregoshi ,
. Although i do think politics is undoubtedly linked to history.
Just think of how the propaganda of history is used so often by political parties.

Yes its true that history helps in science, but the difference is these are matters of factual mathmatics but war however is a subjective issue.
in the matter of learining from the mistakes we have made during war,
this is not as straighfoward as the lessons we get from the history of science and engineering ,

**VAE VICTUS** · 05-30-2005, 17:41

history is important because it can give a certain validity to an organization.like in orwell's 1984 whoever is in control can manipulate history and fool the masses into believing that it has always been a certain and there is no other,or better way.also we have learned from history.guns are better than swords in most cases.war is a necessity right now.humans are divided strongly for the most into "races",usually defined by color,creed,or some such.also defined by religion,be it christianity,islam,or the lack of.if these barriers were ever destroyed some sort of peace may be contained with an extremely strong central govt. which polices population thouroughly.and with RFid chips people could be tracked,and therefore much easier to find.history shows us that there are and have been other ways of living,and other ways of acting.it goes beyond the wars and generals were there political and economical issues that pressed the war into being?also we can look at wars that should have happened but never did.1870s britain,russia,france.(may have years off).anyway before i bore anyone to tears(may have already succeeded!)ill wind it down.

it looks like he is hitting the ball with his nose.

**Kagemusha** · 05-30-2005, 18:41

I would like to aproach history little bit differently.
I dont know if it benefits or not us in the long run,i just find it very curious.
Thats the key in my aspect of history.To me one of the most important features of humans is that they want to know everything about almost anything.In my mind that creates the possibility to develope our selves beyond anything that has happened in history before us.

**Papewaio** · 05-31-2005, 01:17

Originally Posted by King Arthur

agreed Gregoshi ,
Yes its true that history helps in science, but the difference is these are matters of factual mathmatics but war however is a subjective issue.
in the matter of learining from the mistakes we have made during war,
this is not as straighfoward as the lessons we get from the history of science and engineering ,

History is experience which definitly helps in war.

Interesting that you mention engineering and war. Australias best WWI general was an engineer and it seemed he learned from his experiences to apply them to warfare.

History however is more then just warfare.

**Brutus** · 05-31-2005, 14:35

History is important cause if there was no history, I would have to study something else, or, more probable, I'd be living in the gutter right now.

Also, it's just impossible to think history is unimportant. Sure, one can think it's uninteresting, but since there is not a single being, thing, idea or whatever on the planet (or, if we knew about it, in the entire universe) without history, it is always important. Most things are unintelligeble without knowing something about it's history.