学习历史有什么价值？| 英文原创
文章写于2010年前后；大学英文写作老师 Justine 有修改。
GRE Issue: 「So much is new and complex today that looking back for an understanding of the past provides little guidance living in the present.」
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Understanding the past, according to the speaker, is of little value to us while navigating modern society. The argument, however, cannot be justified on the grounds that today is different from the past and circumstances vary so that history pales in importance. Human experience and common sense suggest that history counts. A balanced analysis of past and presence does us more good than harm.
The validity of the speaker's view is the recognition of a changing world, which is a crucial prerequisite for referring to history. Only when the differences of today are carefully observed, can we make better use of history. Society as a whole changes round the clock: social upward mobility, demographics, international climate, to name just a few. As society changes, social priorities follow suit. For instance, in some emerging economies, a developing economy is no longer the top priority. Countries such as China, India and Brazil are steadily developing economically but are suffering from emerging problems of social inequality and inequality of distribution. Looking back into the history of other more developed countries that have already faced these problems can give insights into which strategies work and which do not. We learn from good models and do not always have to reinvent the wheel, but we also learn, and sometimes learn more, by examining the failures of others and the prices to be paid for unintended consequences. Wisely viewed and analyzed, history can help inform the present.
"Only if the past is understood can the future be navigated," asserted Iris Chang, author of the bestseller The Rape of Nanking. Human beings make silly mistakes repeatedly thanks partially yet mainly to an inadequate understanding of history. History is recorded facts and meticulous reflections on the past. Accordingly, it is not only fitting, but also essential for us to slow the pace and look back to history. China's opening-up and reform is a perfect case in point. Three decades ago, by examining China's collapse in the second half of the 1800s, China smashed the doctrines that stood in its way and chose to embrace the world. Had it not been for the acute study of China's then circumstances and a critical analysis of history, China would not have made a great leap forward.
Relying solely on history, however, does not suffice and is sometimes dangerous. Total oblivion to today's changes amounts to driving while looking in the rearview mirror. One is doomed to crash. Doctrines lead people astray. A relevant exemplar is the bankruptcy of a majority of state-owned enterprises in the late 20th century in China. With the advent of a market economy, the planned economy fared ill. Yet, some corporations still cling to patterns of the planned economy which were already out of date. Their failure to keep up with the times resulted in their demise.
In summary, to make history helpful to present needs, it is advisable to make balanced reference to past and present circumstances. Dismissing the former amounts to missing a precious lesson; ignoring the later is tantamount to being blindly led by the past. If, however, both are taken into serious consideration, history can serve our present needs.