Uses of History

In its primary understanding, history is the study of the past through available sources. Hence it is a record of human memory, which is essential for a better understanding of the present. It is considered an indispensable subject in the complete education of man. History is one of the most comprehensive fields of study. Understanding history helps to acquire a better understanding of the past, present, and future, hence the utility and necessity of history in human life are vital. 

History – A Storehouse of Information

In the first place, history offers a storehouse of information about the past. History is all about human activities. It provides a record of the socio, political, economic, and cultural life of the people living of various ages. It reflects the changes in the way of life and each and every aspect of development. Hence, history serves as a grand library or data bank for the study of human life and development. 

History Shapes Individual, Societal and National Identity 

History provides an identity for an individual, societies, and nations. Through its linkages of the past with the present, history shapes the genealogy of social groups. History gives the account of people’s collective movements, collective sufferings, collective achievements, and all other collective actions. Thus it shapes the collective consciousness among the social group. It is noted that history created great nation-states of the world. National history plays a crucial role in promoting nationalism and patriotism.

History Reflects the Process of Change and its Forces

The study of history helps to understand the process of change from one age to another and also reveals the factors that cause change. History explains every aspect of change in human behaviour, which helps to understand the attitudes of individuals and groups. This, in fact, helps to understand the patterns of human behaviour in socio-cultural and political fields. It develops an understanding of the different forces that have shaped man's destiny and paved the way for his development in society.

History Shapes Our World

Through the lessons and teachings of the past, history shapes the world that we are living in. History carries examples of better livelihood and model societies. The study of history is thus, essential for good citizenship. History also teaches morals and values through the stories of individuals and situations. "History teaching by example" is one phrase that describes this use of the study of the past. The study of history is important because it allows one to make more sense of the current world.

History – A Source of Inspiration 

History shares the stories of human victories and achievements and thereby acts as a source of inspiration for the generations. It depicts the stories of human struggles for the creation of a better world. It gives the stories of great inventions, great leaders, and the constant human desire to improve.

History – A Guide for Better Future

History is a pathfinder of man’s future. History can offer guidance for the solution to all human problems by outlining the experiences of the past. No local, national or global issue could be grasped and tackled unless its historical background is known. For an understanding of the problems of the present day, the politicians, administrators, and diplomats seek explanations from the pages of history. It depicts the fortunes and misfortunes of the past and thereby shows the right paths toward a better future. History helps us to foresee the future. Though history cannot predict the future, the conclusions it furnished are used for practical guidance.

 

History – A Skill Trainer 

Students of history can acquire verities of skills and a broad perspective and flexibility. The study of history can help to develop research skills like critical thinking, analysis, and interpretation. A large number of intellectual values accrue from the learning of history. It sharpens memory, and develops the power of reasoning, judgment, and imagination. It cultivates the qualities of reading, analysing, criticizing, and arriving at conclusions.

History Provides Social Memory

History is a social memory; without it society will lapse into societal amnesia. History plays the same role in society as memory plays in the activity of the individual. Historical memory stores a great volume of socially useful information about events of the past. Historical memory store and transmit knowledge about events witnessed or heard about. The absence of such memory will paralyze performance and progress. No society can survive without historical consciousness. Marwick pointed out that “A society without memory and self-knowledge would be a society adrift”.

History is for Human Self Knowledge

History is for the sake of human self–knowledge. R G Collingwood says ‘the value of history is that it teaches us what man has done and thus what man is’. History is for ‘human self–knowledge’. Self-Knowledge means knowing one’s world. Knowing himself is the first step to being in the world, and also it directs his/her way of living. History imparts knowledge about the actions of human beings that have been done in the past.