2006-09-10 16:08:11 · 16 answers · asked by Kashmira S 1 in Social Science ➔ Other - Social Science
For some people it is not important at all. For others, there is a strong belief that one cannot truly understand the issues of the present if they do not understand how, when, and why it all began.
Things get clouded and history continues to get re-written through the years, so to truly acknowledge an event, one needs to know the truth and understand the events of the past.
There is a thought that in understanding the past, the future can be changed toward a better way of life other than what it is today. It's a thought of as learning lessons from past mistakes.
Update (9/11) - For those that do not feel there is any importance about the past, have their own theories that what happened yesterday does not have any direct affect on the events of today, or that the past doesn't matter anymore because so much has changed since then. Others fear that digging up the past may uncover some uncomfortable truths that most people do not want to deal with because it may alter some perceptions of what the truth is in the way people think and understand today.
Either way, the past is only important to those that view it as important and unimportant to those that do not. The choice is actually yours to make. Don't let anyone sway your opinion in what you deem important to you and your life, but always be open to the fact that some of your ideas may be wrong just as much as they may be right.
2006-09-10 16:13:38 · answer #1 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So that future decisions aren't based upon false assumptions.
For example, let's pick a random piece of history, like, say The War in Iraq.
The majority of people and news sources believed that there was an imminent threat from Iraq's weapons against the 'West'.
Because the public doesn't read history, they don't know about Operation Northwoods, The Gulf of Tonkin incident, or the sinking of the Maine, which were all disinformation programs of the government used to initiate wars against enemies who had NOT attacked us.
By understanding that these things were done to deceive the public, then at least some people will put a little more effort into questioning what the government says before sending our troops into harm's way.
Find out about General Smedley Butler's story. Fascinating stuff.
2006-09-10 16:16:28 · answer #2 · answered by auntiegrav 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is important to understand the past so you can understand whats happening now,.. I am sure many people in the middle east dont know much about the history of their region over the last 60 years or else they could be more sympathetic about how Israel came about, and be better able to work around their problems...
2006-09-10 16:17:23 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is important to fully understand the past to be able to not make the same mistakes and or to guide the future to a more stable destination.
God Bless!
2006-09-10 16:14:54 · answer #4 · answered by goneblonde 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Understanding the past gives you the benefit of other people's experiences. There are a lot of shady, ignorant people doing a lot of shady, ignorant things that, otherwise, many people wouldn't even imagine are possible. Just as you know more about what to expect from people and circumstances now that you are older, you will be more able to make informed decisions about today with the insight you glean from history.
2006-09-10 16:24:22 · answer #5 · answered by Em 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to be able to understand the past in order to be prepared for the future. By learning from ones mistakes whether it is our own or someone else's. We can learn.
2006-09-10 16:16:31 · answer #6 · answered by Lynette M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So we won't repeat the same mistakes over and over.
Also, so we know how we got to where we are now, which can help us to figure out what we need to do next.
That applies to individuals, communities, nations, everyone at every level.
2006-09-10 16:14:27 · answer #7 · answered by cool_breeze_2444 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hopefully to learn something. So we don't make the same mistakes twice. There are valuable lessons to be learn from our lives especially.
2006-09-11 20:01:29 · answer #8 · answered by dancinintherain 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have asked the same question. My english teacher helped me figure it out. when u learn history.. its not about the event.. such as 9/11, it has to do with WHY it happened, and what happened BECAUSE it happened. when u learn this... it helps u put stuff in perspective about today.
2006-09-10 16:14:38 · answer #9 · answered by jodie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.
I'm guessing George W. Bush failed his history class in high school and had to repeat it.
2006-09-10 16:14:20 · answer #10 · answered by Todd H 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋