“When in the Course of human Events,...”One of the most frustrating questions I get from middle school students is, “Why do we have to study history?” Usually it is not offered as a serious query about the value of knowing the past. Usually it is whining because they have been asked to work and are looking for excuses to avoid turning on their brain.
There are many answers. All of them demand a willingness to listen and think. Our founders felt that a knowledge of history gave people the foundation of knowledge to make intelligent, informed decisions. If you go to a doctor and he prescribes medication without finding out your history, find another doctor. If you marry someone without knowing their history, start setting money aside for a divorce lawyer. If you elect a president and ignore his history you end up with empty hope and destructive change.
So one of our foundations is an awareness of the past. What has worked and why. What has not worked and why.
Or republic depends on an informed electorate. That is one reason that the Progressives in control of education do not emphasize history and are so set on dumbing down the curriculum.
homo unius libri
Thank you.
ReplyDeleteGrace and peace.