[Type here]What is the value, if any, of studying history?

James Watson

In order to establish histories worth, it is important to first understand what history is;
History is distinct from the past. History is the understanding of the past. The value of
history lies in its influence upon current decision making and the way in which it can
teach us about the world we live in today.
One key value of studying history is its aid in understanding People of the past.
Through this we will find out how the society we live in came to be. Karl Marx stated:
It is not history which uses men as a means of achieving- as if it were an individual
person- its own ends. History is nothing but the activity of men in pursuit of their
ends.1 In this sense one can relate to the people of the past and learn more about
our role in society today. When studying history through the magnifying glass that is
social theory, one can acquire knowledge about the present, making the unfamiliar,
familiar. Therefore much of histories significance lies in the way it still resonates in
culture today.
In this sense history allows us to improve ourselves, preparing for the future by
analysing the past. One can look upon the dystopia of Nazi Germany and through
historical study identify the key themes of Hitlers rise to power, ultimately preventing
future dystopias through historical critique. Stephen Lee looks at the rise of Hitler as
a result of economics, he gives the following economic reasons for Hitlers rise to
power: Crisis returned to the Republic in full force. Germany experienced a serious
depression between 1929 and 1933. The Wall Street crash was followed by the
withdrawal of foreign investments from Germany. 2 He argues that the primary
causes for a fascist party getting into power was severe economic instability.
Parallels can be drawn from this to todays society in Greece where severe financial
crisis has polarised the political system to the extent that the neo-Nazi party GoldenDawn has a projected 15% of national vote. Such radicalisation mirrors that of the
1 G. N. KitchingKarl Marx and the Philosophy of Praxis - Page 39
Volume 984 of University paperbacks
Publisher Routledge, 1988

2 Lee, S.J.Weimar and Nazi Germany page 38

Heinemann, 1996

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[Type here]What is the value, if any, of studying history?

James Watson

past. Therefore significant value can be seen in histories ability elucidate the
present.
Similarly, the Study of history can be seen as acquisition of past knowledge, of why
and how the world exists as it does today. For example, one of the most deplorable
events that stands out in the mind of any historian, the holocaust. It forces one to
take a strong stance against fascism, which prevents such appalling events from
repeating. Factually, the holocaust took over 6 million peoples lives, a sobering fact
in itself. However, the historically significant value surrounding this atrocity lies in its
causes. One must look at the ways in which the event transpired and even more
crucially how it was allowed to happen. To not take account of an event as
devastating as this would leave the possibility for another genocidal dictator to come
to power and repeat what took place, something which we cannot allow.
In this sense history helps us to shape our future through revision of past decisions.
The study of History creates a narrative, upon reflection of this narrative one can
contrast present events to those of the past and compare possible outcomes to the
consequences of bygone decisions. In David Carrs consideration of this debate he
claimed: narrative structure pervades our very experience of time and social
existence.3 The primary interpretation of this would be that history impacts us on
every level of our being, our behaviour and how we experience the world in which we
live. Therefore histories value lies in the way in which it permeates into our lives.
However, the idea that awful events of the past wont repeat themselves solely
because of historical inquiry is one of complacency, Karl Marx stated; History
repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce. 4 This could illustrate the study of
history as futile because its inevitably going to repeat itself. However, in another
sense historical events are a recurring phenomenon and so by studying history
people can prepare for future occurrences and understand current events in their
totality. If we heed histories warnings we can come to a comprehensive
understanding of the past that will tell us much about the difficulties of the present.
3 Carr, D.Time, narrative and history
Indiana University Press, 1986

4 Marx, k. Engels, FThe 18th Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte

London : Electric Book Co., 2001

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[Type here]What is the value, if any, of studying history?

James Watson

To conclude, the value of studying history lies in histories ability to escape the
confines of the past and enlighten us as to what the future holds. The value of history
is the affect is has on the present, or as Oakeshott eloquently personified it: The
past which a historian studies is not a dead past, but a past which in some sense is
still living in the present.5
(844 words)

5 Carr, E.H. What is History?

London: Macmillan, 1961 (var.edns.) p 22

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[Type here]What is the value, if any, of studying history?

Bibliography

Carr, D.
Time, narrative and history
Indiana University Press, 1986

Carr, E.H.
What is History? p22
London: Macmillan, 1961 (var.edns.)

Kitching, G. N.
Karl Marx and the Philosophy of Praxis - Page 39
Volume 984 of University paperbacks
Publisher Routledge, 1988

Lee, S.J.
Weimar and Nazi Germany - page 38
Heinemann, 1996

Marx, k. Engels, F
The 18th Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte
London : Electric Book Co., 2001

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James Watson