It is important to see the evolution of an idea or theory and not just the end product. What can be learned from viewing a picture of the human body for example? Its just a one-dimensional image that provides very little insight into the magnificent things it can do. However, if you study the evolution of man you see how conditions caused this race to evolve into not only a useful machine, but also a brilliant mind.
What do you think...why is it important to study the history of a subject inorder to understand it?
Well, there are many reasons to study the past of something in order to have a greater understanding or wisdom toward it. I believe the reason you are looking for in your example above is how has the past effected the future of the human race.
Another good reason to study something/someone's past would be to learn more about their heritage and culture. Basically, why do they do the things they do. Blues music is a part of the African American culture because when they were oppressed they became sad and thus made sad music. We Cajuns in Louisiana tend to like food like catfish, crawfish, and gumbo because that is what our ancestors who came from Canada ate in the bayous.
I've said my part, feel free to discuss or add to it as you please.
God bless,
Pampoon
I agree that history is important. To truly understand something we need to look at it's evolution, no matter what the situation is. As a Celt and Druid I have, and still am, studying the history. I feel I need to understand the past in order to move forward.
it is important because:
the evolution of something is a part of that thing and cannot be seperated from it. to look at something only in the present is to take it out of context.
as an analogy:
suppose person a comes across person b's plans to blow up a's house while his family are inside. then a buys a gun and is now shooting b
if you ignore the past and look only at now you get "a is killing b"
if you include the past you get "a is protecting his family by killing b"
both of these situations are different(although they share a common factor).
therefore if you ignotre the past you cannot get a complete picture of the present.
