Ok, you have a point, it might not be all that helpful in the medical field. However, History helps you with every other aspect of your life. Like knowing your culture, projecting things you think might go wrong, and it can even make you want to be a better person by seeing the evils of man. So, yeah, history isn't that important for the medical field, but is your life all about the medical field? I think not.
Poll: History, an important subject?
- Thread starter NotAPie
- Start date
Recommended Videos
I can understand why you see history a useless or irrelevant subject, but I'm going to stand firm on the negative here, especially as I'm currently studying to become a history (and englsih) teacher. I think part of the problem is that US schools focus so much on American history. The problem with your own country's history is that you already tend to be somewhat familiar with it, it's usually dry, boring, repetitive and biased as your history teacher half-heartedly attemps to instill you with some feelings of patriotism. I consider myself fortunate in being Australian. Seeing as the history of our country only dates back roughly 200 years, there isn't much to learn about, so finished within a year or two (depending what school you go to). I honestly found Australian history unbearably boring and tedious, and I can't imagine how bad that would be from an American students perspective. Sure it's amazing that most US kids can recite every American president to date, but on this point, I concede - how pointless! I could tell you the first PM and the three most recent, and a few inbetween, but that's about it. Where's the significance in reciting names and dates?elitepie931 said:
However, I do believe that there is still significance to History. For instance, did you know that the Ancient Minoans (who existed around 2700-1400 BC) had flushing toilets? Yet the ancient Greeks and Romans had nothing better or more sophisticated than buckets and water? As funny as this sounds, imagine how significant that relatively simple invention would have been in Europe during the bubonic plauge in the 1300's, or the countless other pandemics and generall illnesses caused by unhygenic disposal of human waste? If someone had recorded the invention and how it works, how different would society be today? How much quicker would have Europe emerged from the dark ages? Such things are only speculative, but imagine the possibilities, and the opposite too. What if certain inventions or specific events hadn't been recorded, and they became lost or we never learnt the mistakes of the past (many people have pointed this out previously)?
This term at uni, one of my subjects was 'democracy in Asia', (which many people think is an oxymoron
) which was really interesting, but also opened my eyes to how much our history influences our current day politics. Sure, if you want to be a doctor, you're not going to be needing it on the operation floor or in a clinic, but to say that history is irrelevant is a blanket term. A degree of historical knowledge is essential for anyone wishing to involve themselves in politics, because past trade, wars and conflicts form the relationships between nations today.Anyway, thats my 2 cents...
Besides, if history was irrelevant and no longer important, my job prospects would decrease!
You must be going to one fucked up schoolthevillageidiot13 said:
A big sarcastic REALLY?!?!?thevillageidiot13 said:
[sub]I'm pretty sure people could name 5 terrible things America has done in its history in a heartbeat[/sub]
Learning from your mistakes doesn't mean you try to do something worse.thevillageidiot13 said:
Learning from mistakes made in history makes us try and avoid things like Genocide, Religious war, racial discrimination.
Its a more of a "don't forget" the horrors of the past.
*nods in agreement*thevillageidiot13 said:
This is what we mean by saying "Learn from histories mistakes" so that we don't repeat them, and we try to make the future a better placethevillageidiot13 said:
History is the most important thing in the world. Not just the things the teachers talk about in the classroom, but in general, the consept of understanding those who lived before us, why they did what they did and how did it all come together. And so:
Whatever anyone might think about the history taught in schools, how interesting or fun it is, it's still important. We cannot move forward unless we know what's behind us. Boring teachers are not a valid reason to say it's not important.
I am about to complete my 7 year studies in history next spring, so I suppose I'm a bit biased.
This is about as final as it gets.ma55ter_fett said:
Whatever anyone might think about the history taught in schools, how interesting or fun it is, it's still important. We cannot move forward unless we know what's behind us. Boring teachers are not a valid reason to say it's not important.
I am about to complete my 7 year studies in history next spring, so I suppose I'm a bit biased.
While I would say it is not the most important subject in school, I cannot respect people who don't know the major events in history. Math, I would say, is the most important; I fundamentally cannot respect anyone who is incapable of basic addition or multiplication. While I don't ask that the average person have an in-depth understanding of every aspect of history, they should understand many important events that shaped the modern world, including more recent ones (that are still old enough to be considered history), with particular emphasis on the events that shaped their country and culture (Here's a free tip: In general, TV and Hollywood are notoriously bad at history. And physics. And math. And anything vaguely-science related. Exceptions go out to Mythbusters, and many other programs on the Discovery and History channel, but even there double-check any facts you hear).
I also am unable to respect anyone that doesn't have a basic understanding of science. You don't have to know how to balance a chemical equation, but for fucks sake, if you can't puzzle out what "Dihydrogen monoxyde" might be, or aren't able to admit there is evidence of evolution (whether you believe in creationism or not, just admitting the existence of evidence), or don't understand that the earth revolves around the sun, or can't fathom that light is a fucking thing (even if you don't know WHAT it is, that's fine, as long as you know it's SOMETHING), then frankly, I don't want to talk to you for fear of ozmodically losing IQ points.
I also am unable to respect anyone that doesn't have a basic understanding of science. You don't have to know how to balance a chemical equation, but for fucks sake, if you can't puzzle out what "Dihydrogen monoxyde" might be, or aren't able to admit there is evidence of evolution (whether you believe in creationism or not, just admitting the existence of evidence), or don't understand that the earth revolves around the sun, or can't fathom that light is a fucking thing (even if you don't know WHAT it is, that's fine, as long as you know it's SOMETHING), then frankly, I don't want to talk to you for fear of ozmodically losing IQ points.
I'm a physicist. I still value learning history; hell, I do it independently when I'm bored (some seriously cool shit happened in history, folks). So, while you may be biased, your opinion that history is worth studying is nonetheless a good message.Spitfire175 said:
In short yes.
In long:
History is important for us to learn so we don't repeat past mistakes, you actually use history almost everyday. Like if your girlfriend breaks up with you, but then begs to have you back; you'll think about your own personal History with women and you'll either take her back, leave her alone or punch her in the boob.
Actually, I wish more government leaders knew more about history. Had Hitler read history (thankfully it seemed as though he didn't), he would have known no to attack Russia at the time he did.
But, if the US presidents would read history, it would help with policy making. What past mistakes and successes happened while President So-and-So was in office? Things like that can help shape and build a nation.
So basically, history's very important.
In long:
History is important for us to learn so we don't repeat past mistakes, you actually use history almost everyday. Like if your girlfriend breaks up with you, but then begs to have you back; you'll think about your own personal History with women and you'll either take her back, leave her alone or punch her in the boob.
Actually, I wish more government leaders knew more about history. Had Hitler read history (thankfully it seemed as though he didn't), he would have known no to attack Russia at the time he did.
But, if the US presidents would read history, it would help with policy making. What past mistakes and successes happened while President So-and-So was in office? Things like that can help shape and build a nation.
So basically, history's very important.
History of things, and the REAL history of things, should be compulsory in schools; and not just focussing on Presidents/Kings+Queens (depending on your country).
The Arabian Conflict/The Anglo-Irish Conflict/Development of Trade/Who actually invented things/The Wars apart from the World Wars/Why the World Wars happened...all are fascinating events which are rendered dull and meaningless by the reduced time given to them.
There's no subject that doesn't have a rich history that makes the present come alive and the future worth speculating over.
May I recommend James Burke's Connections series? He's a little snarky for some people; but his conclusions and insight is well worth looking at.
Number 1: The Trigger Effect : How a group of French Monks worried about sheep rearing gave the modern world the computer.
The Arabian Conflict/The Anglo-Irish Conflict/Development of Trade/Who actually invented things/The Wars apart from the World Wars/Why the World Wars happened...all are fascinating events which are rendered dull and meaningless by the reduced time given to them.
There's no subject that doesn't have a rich history that makes the present come alive and the future worth speculating over.
May I recommend James Burke's Connections series? He's a little snarky for some people; but his conclusions and insight is well worth looking at.
Number 1: The Trigger Effect : How a group of French Monks worried about sheep rearing gave the modern world the computer.
A doctor shouldn't just be a doctor. A doctor should be a citizen as well. A citizen ought to know history. History is the foundation of political reality and essential to understanding the world as it is now. What is a Communist? That's primarily a historical question. Why is there conflict in Israel? That is a historical question. History is rich with examples that inform policy and even personal decisions today: understanding it means you are less reliant on the varied opinions of experts and can better make your own judgments. It's basically a matter of wanting to be informed and engaged or not or possibly even worse, someone who is involved but knows nothing.
If we didn't study history, then humanity couldn't advance. Do you think we got to be this advanced by using our current knowledge and not thinking about what the people did before us? Imagine if no one knew what happened before their lifetime. Then how would we get better and learn from our mistakes and advances? I think it's an interesting subject.
Now what subject doesn't matter is English... who on Earth do we have to take 4 years learning a language that we've been speaking since we were little? Mostly it's just reading a book and talking about what you read and there are book clubs for people who actually like doing stuff like that.
Now what subject doesn't matter is English... who on Earth do we have to take 4 years learning a language that we've been speaking since we were little? Mostly it's just reading a book and talking about what you read and there are book clubs for people who actually like doing stuff like that.
It's possibly THE most important subject you will learn. History is so important because it details the learning experience of the human race. It can help you understand a wide variety of subjects and a massive amount about human behaviour.elitepie931 said:
Without a decent knowledge of History you would be laughed out of any class worthy social circles. If you can't see the importance in studying history then I doubt you will have the drive to become a doctor which requires many, many years of studying a broad range of subjects. You will indeed need to know much of the History involved in medical learning and procedures if you hope to become anything more than a family doctor.
From your attitude about it I am not surprised to find that you are so arrogant; believing you will become a doctor. you can study to become a doctor, whether you will be good enough to do so is another matter.
Can you tell me why Israel is at war with all her neighbours?elitepie931 said:
No. You need to know some history for that. You can't really know anything about why the world we live in is the way it is, and the motivations behind most major decisions, without history.
Don't get me wrong, I hate my history A-level so far, it's so boring, but I know enough to recognise the importance of the subject. The storage and passing on of knowledge is the one and only reason humanity has come so far.
I believe in learning so much history. Facts of how our country was started, wars held and the reasons for them e.t.c.
But my history lessons were mostly about WW2 for at least 5yrs of school. I vaguely remember in middle school learning about Tudors and even in highschool we did the Toxteth Riots but besides them minor distractions it was straight back onto WW2. No offence but i hate hearing about it now. Every year all year. Really grates on me now. I respect what happened and those that died for our country but to hear it year in year out really is irritating. I once loved the subject, used to be able to tell you everything about it (to a point) but after 2yrs i got bored and slacked. Eventually when i left school i chose not to take 6th form history because one year was devoted to none other then... WW2
URGH! Change the history or scrap the subject!
But my history lessons were mostly about WW2 for at least 5yrs of school. I vaguely remember in middle school learning about Tudors and even in highschool we did the Toxteth Riots but besides them minor distractions it was straight back onto WW2. No offence but i hate hearing about it now. Every year all year. Really grates on me now. I respect what happened and those that died for our country but to hear it year in year out really is irritating. I once loved the subject, used to be able to tell you everything about it (to a point) but after 2yrs i got bored and slacked. Eventually when i left school i chose not to take 6th form history because one year was devoted to none other then... WW2
URGH! Change the history or scrap the subject!
If everything else fails, history is important because otherwise you have no way to support most of your arguments better than "because I think so".
I am not saying that you have to learn all the dates, names and places... But history is the best way to understand human nature... and that has to be worth something, besides his "academic" value.
I am not saying that you have to learn all the dates, names and places... But history is the best way to understand human nature... and that has to be worth something, besides his "academic" value.
It's not completely useless your teachers were right in a way, history will repeat itself it was close around this time and that event was the Depression. But I can see where you're coming from why do you need to know who shot Lincoln? Why do you need to know about the Cuban Missle Crisis? etc... so my answer is it is sort of important.