Throughout the course of the existence of mankind, events concerning many individuals have been able to drastically alter time. The causations of crises, whether they were accidents or fate, shape history—the study of past events— and many groups of diverse individuals from all around the world. While others argue against the importance of history, and the necessity to study it, others boldly defend the significance of analyzing the past. Countless historians, such as the five authors of the following sources, endlessly enforce their own diverse range of opinions, while including other aspects that contribute to their arguments. However, there is no doubt that history serves as a key role in keeping records of ancient events, learning lessons
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Carr’s Causation in History, he discusses the importance of causes and effects in history. Carr’s strong explanation of the theory of cause and effect is clearly explained when he states, “… you would attempt to diagnose the cause of Smith 's apparently causeless behaviour in the firm conviction that some cause there must be” (Carr, 4). If a certain event have occurred, people would naturally try to find justification as to why it could have happened. Edward Carr believed that no matter what situation had materialized, there would always be a reason for its cause, and no accidents could just take place. As historians analyze “the famous crux of Cleopatra’s nose” (Carr, 6) or the death of King Alexander of Greece from a fatal bite, those events happened because of an earlier cause, like how “the result of the battle of Actium was due… to Antony 's infatuation with Cleopatra” (Carr, 6). The theory still applies even in King Alexander’s death as an “accident [that] touched off a train of events which led Sir Winston Churchill to remark that, “a quarter of a million persons died of this monkey 's bite” (Carr, 6). All in all, Edward H. Carr’s stance on history states that no accidents can happen, all events happen in response to an earlier …show more content…
Stearns 's Why Study History discusses the significance of many reasons for studying the past. Similar to Penelope J. Corfield’s viewpoint, he also accepts that history contributes to a lot of aspects of society, as he states, “history is in fact very useful, actually indispensable, but the products of historical study are less tangible, sometimes less immediate, than those that stem from some other disciplines” (Stearns, 1). The important of studying history may not seem very crucial at first, but if there is “a shift in political party dominance in the American Congress, a major change in the teenage suicide rate, or a war in the Balkans or the Middle East” (Stearns, 2), then the past must be carefully investigated to locate when these events could have happened. Stearns also claims that history can teach scholars morality by studying the deeds of ancient figures, who were either punished or rewarded for their actions. Students in academics may also gain the ability to “[achieve] some skill in sorting through diverse, often conflicting interpretations” (Stearns, 5), which will undoubtedly lead to powerful perceptions of change, and benefit the minds of younger generations. Peter N. Stearn’s enthusiastic opinion on the necessity of studying the past proves that the mastery of history will benefit people throughout their
Carr’s Causation in History, he discusses the importance of causes and effects in history. Carr’s strong explanation of the theory of cause and effect is clearly explained when he states, “… you would attempt to diagnose the cause of Smith 's apparently causeless behaviour in the firm conviction that some cause there must be” (Carr, 4). If a certain event have occurred, people would naturally try to find justification as to why it could have happened. Edward Carr believed that no matter what situation had materialized, there would always be a reason for its cause, and no accidents could just take place. As historians analyze “the famous crux of Cleopatra’s nose” (Carr, 6) or the death of King Alexander of Greece from a fatal bite, those events happened because of an earlier cause, like how “the result of the battle of Actium was due… to Antony 's infatuation with Cleopatra” (Carr, 6). The theory still applies even in King Alexander’s death as an “accident [that] touched off a train of events which led Sir Winston Churchill to remark that, “a quarter of a million persons died of this monkey 's bite” (Carr, 6). All in all, Edward H. Carr’s stance on history states that no accidents can happen, all events happen in response to an earlier …show more content…
Stearns 's Why Study History discusses the significance of many reasons for studying the past. Similar to Penelope J. Corfield’s viewpoint, he also accepts that history contributes to a lot of aspects of society, as he states, “history is in fact very useful, actually indispensable, but the products of historical study are less tangible, sometimes less immediate, than those that stem from some other disciplines” (Stearns, 1). The important of studying history may not seem very crucial at first, but if there is “a shift in political party dominance in the American Congress, a major change in the teenage suicide rate, or a war in the Balkans or the Middle East” (Stearns, 2), then the past must be carefully investigated to locate when these events could have happened. Stearns also claims that history can teach scholars morality by studying the deeds of ancient figures, who were either punished or rewarded for their actions. Students in academics may also gain the ability to “[achieve] some skill in sorting through diverse, often conflicting interpretations” (Stearns, 5), which will undoubtedly lead to powerful perceptions of change, and benefit the minds of younger generations. Peter N. Stearn’s enthusiastic opinion on the necessity of studying the past proves that the mastery of history will benefit people throughout their