Is it really possible to learn from history?

Question

Take the question of whether or not to invade Iraq. Those who favored invasion argued that we must learn from History and Saddam is another Hitler. Those opposed to invasion argued that we must learn from History and that Iraq could become another Vietnam if we invaded.

The point here isn't to discuss whether or not it was right to invade. The point is that both sides have historical precedents for their positions. If the present is P, then we have to decide whether P is more like X or like Y or like Z before we can know what to do. But in reality P is probably both like and unlike X (and Y and Z). We can't know a priori which historical analogies are more valid and whether similarities or differences with the past will be more significant for our time.

Does that make any sense?

Answer 1

History, like philosophy, the Bible, ad nauseam, is twisted for the claimant's purposes. Your analysis is impressive, and as you point out, all we can do is take the information available and decide based on that. By analogy, most historical occasions must be judged in light of the knowledge prevailing at the time, and it is unfair for later generations to make a blanket generalization about it.

Answer 2

There are situations where two opposing points of view may be able to point to analogies from history to make their point. At least at our present level of understanding of history, there is no way to be sure which side is right.

However, this does not mean we cannot learn from history. In some situations, the answer may be more clear. And, even when dealing with a situation such as Iraq, where opposing viewpoints pointed to different lessons from history to bolster their viewpoint, the failure to learn may be more a matter of considering *all* arguments based on historical lessons, and then deciding what course to take to avoid *all* mistakes. Saddam *could* have been another Hitler. We needed to avoid that. Invading Iraq may well have bogged us down in another Vietnam. We should have avoided that also.

The fact that we invaded Iraq without considering whether or not there was another way, and without making military plans calculated to avoid the situation we have now, doesn't mean we *can't* learn from history, it just means our leaders *didn't* in this case. They got bogged down in I'm right / you're wrong squabbling rather than using *all* the lessons history teaches, instead of just applying their own favorite lesson.

In other words, I don't think we *should* have decided which analogy was more correct. If an analogy could be made, there was a lesson there. The mistake was in thinking we should choose between lessons, instead of applying them all.

Answer 3

konw let's not get too deep into something that should be left for political people to solve. We should look at our pass and see what our future is bringing. Add both of them and take a good look at them to make our present wich will affect our future and is affected by our pass and make better decisions. Every one talks about how one man should do this for the better interst of our country, or how things should be done so that there is more of everything to go around. But who realy want's to work to achive that goal? If some one is realy angry at how the system is working now... Why not do something after all that is what they ask for the the President to do. American and it's check and balances in the goverment were set up so that if a president was not able or unfit to do it's job he could be removed from office. But yet know one want's to say something about it becasue just like every other american they are looking for some else to start something. No initiave whats so ever. Unlike our founding father who revolted for the better good of the poeople.
So we need to look at that wich is our pass history and make our future, wich is our children's history better

Answer 4

To answer your main question: yes. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

In regard to the rest of your question, I think it is crucial to learn from many aspects of history. The point that you brought up about people using certain events to justify their actions does not truly coincide with your question. The fact of the matter is that if people do or don't want to do something, they can look back in time and find an example to back up their arguments.

That is not the same as learning from the past. Take your example of invading Iraq. The lesson from Hitler is that of a tyrant seeking to exterminate a people, and then left unchecked, having plans to invade and overtake other people and lands. That was pretty similar to Saddam's actions and mindset. Taking it a step further, Viet Nam was a war in which decisive action was not taken and tactical maneuvers were poorly planned. The military of today DID learn from that history, which can be evidenced by the swiftness they used in their mobilizations of air strikes, their carefully executed maneuvers, and their use of unconventional methods to bring a quick end to the fight against Saddam's army. Had we not learned from Viet Nam, it is plausible that we could have repeated our previous mistakes.

The point I'm trying to get to is that in order to learn from the past, you have to examine, X, Y, AND Z from many angles to understand how and why things happened, then use that understanding to prevent further mistakes.

Answer 5

"Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it."

The only similarities that I see as a Vietnam Vet, and what is happening now is the way the country is starting to "disapprove" of our "cause." The main problem that I found back then, as I am starting to find now, my friends are dying for what they believe in. Whether right or wrong, How can one say they are dying in vain? It disturbs me greatly! I quit college in '66 and enlisted for that same reason.
I won't quote scripture here, but will paraphrase. It was told by an angel to kill the king of Babylon way back when, but the "order" was not carried out. As to what the "political" machine has thought about that is their business. They were voted into office and given the authority by congress, I respect that decision.
Peace and Love

Answer 6

Well, based on the simple question at hand, without bringing into the answer a conflict that is ongoing, it is possible to learn from history. Whether or not, as humans, we use the knowledge for the good of mankind is a much more relevant point in my thinking. I know that for generations to come, that the history in the making at the moment will be taught and retained to use during the conflicts that they will incurr in their future.

Answer 7

History is written by winners.
It is only natural for an intelligent being to learn from events in the past, but different interpretations of the same event are inevitable.
I would always question everything that has to call up for history as a main argument "for" or "against"...

Answer 8

Does any room full of people come to the same conclusion about anything? Get real. Of course you can learn from history. In this instance, the war in Iraq, you are only deluding yourself if you believe the current administration was considering either of those ideas you put out there. War profits are good. That's what they learned that from history.

Answer 9

We learn one of two things: The right way to do something or the wrong way. Period. We can't learn the difference between right and wrong from the past unless we already know in the present what is right and wrong. So reguardless of wether or not it was 'right' or 'wrong' , the past can only show you mistakes and failures, and let you have a small insight on how to do it different (even if different turns out to be wrong) in the future.

Answer 10

I believe we can learn from histroy, even though two side might be right about histrorical fact. We must antailze the fact and really study them, then choice what would be better out of the two and how we can change the cicle. I am sure there are ways to make good things happen.