ESPAÑA, Josiah Samuel O.

12 September 2020

BSA 2A2 B124 – Rizal’s Life, Works and Writings

HISTORY AS A DISCIPLINE

How can you use history in arriving at your own conclusions of the present?

Literally, history is the study of the past – events occurring before the
invention of writing systems. We, humans, constantly seek to apprehend the past by
gathering and shaping facts, and from these accounts we make headways to illuminate
the results and developments which shape our existence. But when we look at the
bigger picture, history is not just the study of the humans’ past experiences and
behaviors as it is described in written documents left behind by humans. Little did we
know that history as a discipline helps us understand change and progress.

Many people believe that studying history is just a waste of time, but my
views differ with them. It is endearing and remarkable in the same way our personal
memories have been. History is a recorded reminiscence just as we capture the
beautiful and ugly moments of our lives, which can be helpful in the present. It helps us
understand successes and failures and why our societies are the way they are now. A
sense of awareness and enlightenment is certain and valued by studying history. We
study history because we will be becoming part of it someday. All people are living
histories, indeed.

All things considered, history does matter for it is beneficial at a modest

level. History is undeniably a powerful tool for honing analytical skills, refining deductive-
reasoning skills and sharpening interpersonal skills. It is not just a twist of fate that many
people who study history go on to becoming successful professionals – lawyers,
accountants, journalists and corporate leaders. Briefly, history cultivates important skills
– analysis, evaluation, inquiry, argument, ethical principles, use of evidence and
communication – all of which are very useful in many other modern and contemporary
walks of life.