We should cherish the past, and preserve it as it was, warts and all. The history is part of our identity. Just like we don't hide from our past sins, or block out the identity of our biological father, even if he was a bad father, we shouldn't block out our past. The attack on the past is really an attack on the present by attacking our collective memory.
History is always written by winners. But the ones who know the truth are people that watched or participated in the game on real-time. So a good idea would be to take everything with a grain of salt. There are stories, ideas and events that just did not survive after certain major events shaped and established reality that we live now. Just imagine what kind of beliefs and worldview will be dominant if French Revolution never happened or Anglo-Saxons never dominated the world with a navy. It is very useful to keep yourself open-minded and take more holistic approach while contemplating the mainstream narrative.
AI will only be problematic if we let humans impress upon it their frailties and doubts.
As for transitioning to questioning both how we look at history and how we treat history from the very human depictions created from a human's attempt to code intelligence without having any understanding of what history truly is, a narrative not a thought of the past.
History is what has transpired in the past, preserved in languages inadequate to the task of perspective that captures the entirety of events not just a view point. History is neither active or passive, nor does it require comtemplated engagement or dismantlement but it could stand some expansive perspectives of the exponential views less recorded.
Storytellers wrote the history of human kind.
Historians write the history of the storytelleres.
I agree with others that this is a provocative topic. The question of whether Julius Caesar should be glorified seems to be an odd one, in my opinion. If glory means being remembered for one's memorable achievements, Julius Caesar has been glorified for his political and military achievements for the past two thousand years. To stop glorifying him now is to break from Western tradition, and potentially be against it. This seems to be a strange position for any Classical Wisdom reader.
Thanks Anya, very provocative and well crafted. Although not one of the Classics, I'm with Churchill on this one. Quarrelling between the past and present loses the future. Take their wisdom, not their habits.
The author's effort to dissect Caesar's legacy is commendable. Their exploration delves beyond simplistic glorification, highlighting complexities and prompting readers to reconsider historical figures. Admirable work, indeed. Thank you for the insightful perspective.
I believe and confidently confirm History should remain as it is however being critical of that should accept good lessons and learn from mistakes and correct them now but the question is will vested interests watch history to their advantage and purpose will remain.So leave it for them.
Break it down into fact, fiction, and needs investigating..... Keep digging and displaying all archeological and historical finds for everyone to investigate, explore and interpret, then hold it up for all to see!
Very well said - that reminds me of one of my favorite all time quotes from the ancient world: “For what is the professed object of reasoning? To state the true, to eliminate the false, to suspend judgment in doubtful cases.” Book 1.7 - Epictetus Discourses
We should cherish the past, and preserve it as it was, warts and all. The history is part of our identity. Just like we don't hide from our past sins, or block out the identity of our biological father, even if he was a bad father, we shouldn't block out our past. The attack on the past is really an attack on the present by attacking our collective memory.
I agree - that sometimes we learn MUCH more from past mistakes.
I like this question. A lot.
Should we admire and venerate past people who did remarkable dids but also committed terrible crimes?
Should we forget about their crimes for the sake of the great things they did?
Should we forget about the great things they did on account of the terrible crimes they committed?
Exactly - learning the history is the first task... questioning how we think about it is the next!
History is always written by winners. But the ones who know the truth are people that watched or participated in the game on real-time. So a good idea would be to take everything with a grain of salt. There are stories, ideas and events that just did not survive after certain major events shaped and established reality that we live now. Just imagine what kind of beliefs and worldview will be dominant if French Revolution never happened or Anglo-Saxons never dominated the world with a navy. It is very useful to keep yourself open-minded and take more holistic approach while contemplating the mainstream narrative.
AI will only be problematic if we let humans impress upon it their frailties and doubts.
As for transitioning to questioning both how we look at history and how we treat history from the very human depictions created from a human's attempt to code intelligence without having any understanding of what history truly is, a narrative not a thought of the past.
History is what has transpired in the past, preserved in languages inadequate to the task of perspective that captures the entirety of events not just a view point. History is neither active or passive, nor does it require comtemplated engagement or dismantlement but it could stand some expansive perspectives of the exponential views less recorded.
Storytellers wrote the history of human kind.
Historians write the history of the storytelleres.
That's a great delineation - history and storytelling... They very much go hand in hand...
I agree with others that this is a provocative topic. The question of whether Julius Caesar should be glorified seems to be an odd one, in my opinion. If glory means being remembered for one's memorable achievements, Julius Caesar has been glorified for his political and military achievements for the past two thousand years. To stop glorifying him now is to break from Western tradition, and potentially be against it. This seems to be a strange position for any Classical Wisdom reader.
You know us - never ones to shy away from the potentially controversial! :D
Thanks Anya, very provocative and well crafted. Although not one of the Classics, I'm with Churchill on this one. Quarrelling between the past and present loses the future. Take their wisdom, not their habits.
Nothing better than a well deployed Churchill quote!!!
The author's effort to dissect Caesar's legacy is commendable. Their exploration delves beyond simplistic glorification, highlighting complexities and prompting readers to reconsider historical figures. Admirable work, indeed. Thank you for the insightful perspective.
Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for the kind words!
I believe and confidently confirm History should remain as it is however being critical of that should accept good lessons and learn from mistakes and correct them now but the question is will vested interests watch history to their advantage and purpose will remain.So leave it for them.
Break it down into fact, fiction, and needs investigating..... Keep digging and displaying all archeological and historical finds for everyone to investigate, explore and interpret, then hold it up for all to see!
Very well said - that reminds me of one of my favorite all time quotes from the ancient world: “For what is the professed object of reasoning? To state the true, to eliminate the false, to suspend judgment in doubtful cases.” Book 1.7 - Epictetus Discourses