What got me thinking about this question is history is starting to interest me greatly.
Since my children have come along and helping with homework it has made me reopen my mind to history and I have started to look at it all with a much more interested open and understanding mind than while I was at school.
It seems we haven’t learnt a lot from past mistakes but it seems we are on a merry-g-round with history just keeping on repeating itself.
If we have come so far in our abilities and understand why does this keep happening?
I know there is a saying within families “learn from previous generations mistakes”, but there is a counter saying “that each has to learn by their own mistakes”.
But surely if we see ourselves to a degree being more knowledgeable than people in the past.
Why do we keep making the same mistakes?
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Should we learn from history?
“learn from previous generations mistakes”, but there is a counter saying “that each has to learn by their own mistakes”.
as your foot note says
good judgement comes from experience ,experience comes from bad judgement
mix that in with greed stupidity and feeling of hopelessness and its going to be a good year
dont forget history is not years ago but that moment just past too
as your foot note says
good judgement comes from experience ,experience comes from bad judgement
mix that in with greed stupidity and feeling of hopelessness and its going to be a good year
dont forget history is not years ago but that moment just past too
Sex God
If your clever you'll learn from your mistakes......if your REALLY clever you'll learn from other people's mistakes!!!
History shows you lots of other peoples mistakes, unfortunatly very few of our leaders seem to understand that!!
But its no good just knowing our history, its as well to know the history of the other guy. Then you might see his point of view.
John
History shows you lots of other peoples mistakes, unfortunatly very few of our leaders seem to understand that!!
But its no good just knowing our history, its as well to know the history of the other guy. Then you might see his point of view.
John
Quote by Geordiecpl2001
If your clever you'll learn from your mistakes......if your REALLY clever you'll learn from other people's mistakes!!!
History shows you lots of other peoples mistakes, unfortunatly very few of our leaders seem to understand that!!
But its no good just knowing our history, its as well to know the history of the other guy. Then you might see his point of view.
John
I Should explain myself a little as one of the things that lead me to write this thread was researching, Wat Tyler and the peasants revolt on poll taxes in 1381, and how it had similar outcomes in the 1980’s some 500 years later just not on the same scale.
Plus there are other similarities that have happened in the past that are mirroring present day situations.
I just wonder why we can not learn from the past what doesn’t work so change tactics.
We don't learn as a species from the mistakes of previous generations for a few simple reasons imho.
Things that are part of the 'human condition' at times override our more softer attributes, things such as;
The lust for power and authority,
Jealousy,
Greed,
Hatred aimed at those we view as different,
A lot of these attributes are in-built and hard wired through generation after generation of instinctive behaviour, to expect human beings to act differently is asking us to go against everything that enabled us to become the dominant species in the first place.
Good question, but a hell of a difficult one to answer!
Things that are part of the 'human condition' at times override our more softer attributes, things such as;
The lust for power and authority,
Jealousy,
Greed,
Hatred aimed at those we view as different,
A lot of these attributes are in-built and hard wired through generation after generation of instinctive behaviour, to expect human beings to act differently is asking us to go against everything that enabled us to become the dominant species in the first place.
Good question, but a hell of a difficult one to answer!
Quote by staffcple
We don't learn as a species from the mistakes of previous generations for a few simple reasons imho.
Things that are part of the 'human condition' at times override our more softer attributes, things such as;
The lust for power and authority,
Jealousy,
Greed,
Hatred aimed at those we view as different,
A lot of these attributes are in-built and hard wired through generation after generation of instinctive behaviour, to expect human beings to act differently is asking us to go against everything that enabled us to become the dominant species in the first place.
Good question, but a hell of a difficult one to answer!
Staffs What a response to make me think.
If what you mentioned makes up the dominant species.
Maybe I should accept I have not evolved to become the finished species yet!
Minxy,
I don't think they are the only attributes humanity has!
I believe that although everyone has the capability for compassion, altruism and 'humanity' for want of a better word, there is also the capability within us all for great cruelty, which if the situation is right will become the default behaviour.
I think it is human nature to strive to better ourselves, most of the great discoveries however are born either from the desire to destroy others, or to combat and prevent our destruction.
Goes all the way back to pre-history, homo-sapiens are at their core predators, the off shoot of that is predatory behaviours, started out with sharpened sticks for food, ended up with guided weapons and mass murder for the reasons in my previous post.
Go figure?
I don't think they are the only attributes humanity has!
I believe that although everyone has the capability for compassion, altruism and 'humanity' for want of a better word, there is also the capability within us all for great cruelty, which if the situation is right will become the default behaviour.
I think it is human nature to strive to better ourselves, most of the great discoveries however are born either from the desire to destroy others, or to combat and prevent our destruction.
Goes all the way back to pre-history, homo-sapiens are at their core predators, the off shoot of that is predatory behaviours, started out with sharpened sticks for food, ended up with guided weapons and mass murder for the reasons in my previous post.
Go figure?
To start with two cliche's - 'history is a nightmare from which I am trying to escape' and 'the past is told by those who win'. To me, history is a blot on the present. We can try and rectify past mistakes but ultimately it's how we respond within the moment that shapes us as people and society as a whole.
History, however, does teach us that change occurs. We once had a feudal society, now we have a capitalist one. Many argue that Britain will never be a socialist society, but there is a possibilty. It may be naive, but we must live in and live for the moment, and see how we can use past successes and mistakes to utilise this.
Hi by the way!
History, however, does teach us that change occurs. We once had a feudal society, now we have a capitalist one. Many argue that Britain will never be a socialist society, but there is a possibilty. It may be naive, but we must live in and live for the moment, and see how we can use past successes and mistakes to utilise this.
Hi by the way!
Quote by staffcple
Minxy,
I don't think they are the only attributes humanity has!
I believe that although everyone has the capability for compassion, altruism and 'humanity' for want of a better word, there is also the capability within us all for great cruelty, which if the situation is right will become the default behaviour.
I think it is human nature to strive to better ourselves, most of the great discoveries however are born either from the desire to destroy others, or to combat and prevent our destruction.
Goes all the way back to pre-history, homo-sapiens are at their core predators, the off shoot of that is predatory behaviours, started out with sharpened sticks for food, ended up with guided weapons and mass murder for the reasons in my previous post.
Go figure?
Minxy,
I don't think they are the only attributes humanity has!
I know I was joking with my last comment.
I believe that although everyone has the capability for compassion, altruism and 'humanity' for want of a better word, there is also the capability within us all for great cruelty, which if the situation is right will become the default behaviour.
The only time I could ever imagine I could resort to the default behaviour, would be to protect my young.
I think it is human nature to strive to better ourselves, most of the great discoveries however are born either from the desire to destroy others, or to combat and prevent our destruction.
To strive in my mind is to search for something, what is it that we are striving for?
Are you meaning we are striving as a human race?
Or are you saying people strive for their own self gain?
Goes all the way back to pre-history, homo-sapiens are at their core predators, the off shoot of that is predatory behaviours, started out with sharpened sticks for food, ended up with guided weapons and mass murder for the reasons in my previous post.
Go figure?
This is what I can’t understand I feel to a degree we have evolved past being predatory beings or have we?
My hubby just said the last statement he feels I am trying to advance our evolution by 5000 years
Staffs take back my previous comment I think I am more evolved than some lol
Quote by flower411
Individuals will always be able to learn from the past.
Unfortunately these individuals are rarely able to overcome the aggression and prejudices of those around them.
Feudalism and Capitalism have been mentioned as have Socialism and Communism....these systems ..along with Dictatorships and Democracies have one overiding desire at heart...
And that is to convert everybody else to their own system ...by force if necessary.
We all thought that Democracy would bring an end to this kind of thing but it has .....as with all political systems.....been hijacked by the warmongers as have the major world religions.
We will always be controlled by the bloodthirsty Blairs, Bin Ladens, Bushes Etc of this world.
They all think that their political system or religion is better than the other guys and they are prepared to kill and maim as many people as possible.
It`s been going on since records began !!! Why should we start learning now ??
I believe it is never to late to learn, or am I being naive?
Sex God
Fu*k me we are so different from our counterparts in history. How can you say we don't learn from history. My kids will, with luck, live into their 80's and beyond and not know and suffer the evils and trials of previous generations. So OK they will go through different ones i'm sure, but not on the scale of whats gone before. Maybe climate will be one of them but thats pretty indiscriminate isn't it
Of course there's a long way to go in the evolution of man but i'm an optimist and think that the future is orange rmmm i mean bright.
Of course there's a long way to go in the evolution of man but i'm an optimist and think that the future is orange rmmm i mean bright.
Sex God
We learn from history all the time.
1. The guy with the biggest gun will win.
2. Same size gun? The guy with more will win.
3. Same number? The guy with more soldiers and replacement guns will win.
4. Same armies? The guy with better spies will win.
It's all about winning. Feel free to replace raw materials for guns and cheaper workers for soldiers if you want to apply it to the economic situation.
But, yes, we learn from history, just not the lessons we should.
1. The guy with the biggest gun will win.
2. Same size gun? The guy with more will win.
3. Same number? The guy with more soldiers and replacement guns will win.
4. Same armies? The guy with better spies will win.
It's all about winning. Feel free to replace raw materials for guns and cheaper workers for soldiers if you want to apply it to the economic situation.
But, yes, we learn from history, just not the lessons we should.
Quote by flower411
Individuals will always be able to learn from the past.
Unfortunately these individuals are rarely able to overcome the aggression and prejudices of those around them.
Feudalism and Capitalism have been mentioned as have Socialism and Communism....these systems ..along with Dictatorships and Democracies have one overiding desire at heart...
And that is to convert everybody else to their own system ...by force if necessary.
We all thought that Democracy would bring an end to this kind of thing but it has .....as with all political systems.....been hijacked by the warmongers as have the major world religions.
We will always be controlled by the bloodthirsty Blairs, Bin Ladens, Bushes Etc of this world.
They all think that their political system or religion is better than the other guys and they are prepared to kill and maim as many people as possible.
It`s been going on since records began !!! Why should we start learning now ??
I believe it is never to late to learn, or am I being naive?
Whoops !!! Sorry ... I meant ...How do you think we can learn collectively ??
The Warmongers will always hijack any system and there will always be enough stupid people to follow them.
Flower
It has taken me a while to answer your question, this isn’t to think up the answer I feel people would like to hear, but this thread has opened up the depth of me and I am finding it really hard to put into words. I have had a good chat with hubby about it and he says I am too idealistic.
I will take this country as a basis for starting.
Until people see things in a different way then I guess things will always stay on a merry-g-round.
I can only answer about how I see things and what I believe until we stop putting ourselves first and everything is based on monetary gain, until we can in some way eradicate Greed, jealousy, hatred, and the lust for power as staffs so rightly mentioned we have no answers.
I don’t believe everything can be perfect, but I do believe in some aspects it is getting worse.
We have gained so much but it seems have learnt very little.
We have to go back to the start of life to look at what we needed like any living creature.
We needed food, water, shelter we needed to protect ourselves and our young.
Look at what we have now and for a lot it still isn’t enough.
I believe once we have the above point we should then be helping others to survive as we are all part of this planet.
I don’t believe anything has worked so far to thrive for an even balance, I don’t believe we can all be equal but I do believe we all humans.
I in the whole scheme of things I feel I have what I need, my young are protected have shelter warm and food I feel I live in utopia in my life, my next step is to give to others which I do, to me this is where utopia starts, to give, not for monetary gain or thanks, but that you feel within your self a sense of contentment I feel is second to non.
If I had more I would give more, there is only so much a person needs.
I do believe in people being able to strive forward, but don’t forget someone’s gain is always someone else’s loss.
To gain for self indulgence I find very hard to understand or accept personally.
Still ever wandering how we can achieve this, knowing that I may want the unachievable.
I know there is no easy answers all I can do is look within myself and see what I feel is the right way forward and act accordingly.
If my future generations think along the same lines as me I will be happy.
That then will be their history.
Florrence Nightingale did many noble things, but it was she who discovered that if you keep your wards clean people didn't die. What has happened to the NHS? Many times I see the dirt and grime on wards, there has been a big hand washing campagne - we shouldn't need to tell nurses to wash hands it should be an integral part of their job. Like wise we should not need to tell these contracted cleaners how to do their job - but so often they do bare minimum. Bring back the olden days matrons and nurses that cleaned their own wards!
Progress, far from consisting in change, depends on retentiveness. When change is absolute there remains no being to improve and no direction is set for possible improvement: and when experience is not retained, as among *savages*, infancy is perpetual. Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it
George Santayana
The Life of Reason (1905-1906)
