The Use And Abuse Of History Essay Example

the times because I am attempting, for once, to view our age's historical culture as a contemporary disgrace, weakness, and flaw, despite its justifiable pride.I firmly believe that we are all suffering from a historical fever, and it is important to acknowledge this affliction. As Goethe wisely stated, our virtues can also cultivate our faults. The excessive emphasis on historical sense in our age can be as destructive as a vice. I ask for understanding in my defense, as the tormenting experiences that prompted these feelings mostly come from my own life, and I only use others for comparison. As a student of ancient times, particularly the Greeks, I find myself encountering anachronistic experiences in the present era. However, as a classical philologist, I must assert that my profession would serve no purpose in our times unless it operates as an opposition to the current age, working towards a better future.
Please take a moment to observe the herd of people grazing beside you. They are unaware of the concept of yesterday or today.The beast's constant movements, such as springing around, eating, resting, digesting, and jumping up, occur from morning to night and from day to day. Its likes and dislikes are closely tied to each moment, preventing it from feeling melancholy or weary. Observing this behavior is difficult for humans who believe their own race is superior to animals, yet envy the beast's happiness. Humans long to live without weariness or pain like the beast does, but they are unable to achieve it because they lack the same instinctive will. One day, a man questions the beast about its happiness, wondering why it

does not speak to him but only gazes. The beast also wants to respond and explain that it always forgets what it intends to say. However, by the time it remembers its answer, it remains silent, leading the man to continue pondering. The man also reflects on himself, realizing he is unable to forget and constantly dwells on the past. No matter how far or fast he runs, this chain of memories persists. It is astonishing how each moment swiftly fades away and becomes nothing, yet returns like a ghost to disturb the peace of subsequent moments. Like a leaf detached from the scroll of time, fluttering and drifting away, suddenly finding its way back into the man's lap.The man acknowledges his envy towards the beast, as it has the ability to forget and live in the present moment without carrying the burden of the past. The beast is completely honest, never pretending to be something it's not. On the other hand, humans struggle under the weight of their past experiences, which can be like an invisible and dark burden that affects their interactions with others. However, humans may also find joy in observing the carefree nature of children who have yet to deny their past and play blissfully in ignorance of what lies ahead. Eventually, though, children too will be forced to confront their own past as they learn the meaning of "It was," a phrase that reminds them of the struggles and weariness that come with existence.Although death brings the desired forgetting, it also destroys present existence, leaving behind the understanding that existence is merely a continuous living in the past, existing for

self-denial, self-destruction, and self-contradiction. The cynic philosopher has great justification if happiness, or some form of yearning for happiness, is what motivates individuals to continue living. The happiness of both beasts and complete cynics is evidence supporting cynicism. Even the smallest uninterrupted happiness is far greater than the greatest happiness that only occurs sporadically amidst monotony, greed, and deprivation. Regardless of the scale of fortune, happiness is attained through forgetting or, in more scholarly terms, by sensing things in an unhistorical manner during moments of happiness. Those who cannot detach themselves from the past and stand firmly in the present moment without dizziness or fear will never experience true happiness. Additionally, they will be incapable of taking action to bring happiness to others.Imagine a person without the ability to forget, condemned to witness constant creation. This person loses faith in their own existence, perceiving everything as interconnected and constantly changing. They become engulfed in this stream of continual transformation, to the point where they hesitate to even move. Forgetting is an essential part of all actions, just as light and darkness are intrinsic to organic life. Someone who only feels historically would be like an insomniac or a ruminating beast, constantly replaying events without rest. While it is possible to live happily without remembering, forgetting is indispensable. To clarify my point further: there is a level of insomnia, rumination, and historical consciousness that harms and ultimately destroys life, be it an individual, a society, or a culture. To determine this threshold of history and when the past should be forgotten to avoid becoming a threat to the present, we must ascertain the extent of the

plastic force within a person, society, or culture.The text emphasizes the transformative power of individuals, who have the ability to grow and incorporate the past and foreign aspects of their lives. Some people lack this transformative force and are unable to recover from even the smallest negative experiences. On the other hand, there are those who are resilient and can overcome even the most tragic events, finding peace within themselves. The stronger an individual's inner nature, the more they assimilate from their past. A powerful nature knows how to forget what it cannot control or change. It completely closes off its horizon from any reminders of the outside world.The general principle stated is that in order for a living being to be healthy, strong, and fertile, they must have a horizon. If someone is unable to expand their perspective beyond themselves and is overly self-centered, they will deteriorate and possibly die prematurely. The well-being of an individual or a group, including their cheerfulness, good conscience, joyful action, and trust in the future, depends on several factors. These include recognizing the distinction between what is known and what is unknown, knowing when to forget and when to remember, and having the ability to perceive historically or unhistorically when necessary. The specific principle being presented is that both historical and unhistorical perspectives are equally crucial to the health of an individual, a community, and a culture. It is acknowledged that a person's historical knowledge and understanding may be limited, comparable to an inhabitant of an Alpine valley with a narrow view.In every judgment, he can identify an injustice and in every experience, a mistake that he was

the first to make. However, despite all the injustices and mistakes, he remains invincibly healthy and vibrant, bringing joy to everyone. On the other hand, the more just and scholarly individual who is constantly shifting their perspective and struggling to escape their own self-imposed restrictions falls ill and collapses. In contrast, we witnessed the beast existing in an unhistorical state, seemingly happy and without fatigue or pretense. Therefore, we must consider the ability to feel unhistorically as more important and fundamental, as it provides the foundation for something righteous, healthy, great, and truly human to flourish. The unhistorical atmosphere is like a protective shield that allows life to generate itself but ultimately disappears when the atmosphere is destroyed.The truth is that the human being, in their process of thinking, reflecting, comparing, separating, and combining, first limits their unhistorical sense. This process is like a surrounding misty cloud, within which a bright gleaming beam of light emerges. It is through the power of using the past for living and making history out of what has happened that a person truly becomes a person. However, in an excess of history, the human being once again stops. Without the cover of the unhistorical, they would have never started or had the courage to start. Where do the actions come from that men are capable of doing without previously entering that misty patch of the unhistorical? To illustrate, let's consider a man who is driven forward by a violent passion for a woman or for a great idea. This passion changes his world completely. When looking backwards, he feels blind; when listening to the side, he hears the strangeness

as a dull sound devoid of meaning. What he was previously aware of now appears true, perceptibly close, vibrant, and illuminated. It's as if he is comprehending with all his senses simultaneously. All his prior estimations of worth are altered and diminished. He no longer values them as much because he can hardly feel them anymore. He questions if he has been foolishly influenced by strange words and opinions for a long time.He is surprised by the endless cycle of his memory, yet he lacks the strength and energy to break free from it. This condition, unfair and ungrateful towards the past, is oblivious to what has happened and ignores warnings. It is a small whirlwind of life in a sea of darkness and forgetfulness. But this condition, which lacks historical significance and is actively against history, serves as the birthplace not only of unjust actions but also of every just action. No artist, field marshal, or people can achieve their goals without first desiring and striving for them in this unhistorical state. Just as an active person, as Goethe once said, acts without conscience, they also act without knowledge. They forget most things in order to focus on one task, disregarding what came before them and valuing only what is about to take shape. Every active person loves their actions more than they deserve to be loved. The greatest deeds occur with such an overwhelming love that they would be undeserving of it, even if their worth was immeasurable.If a person can perceive the scent of the unhistorical atmosphere in which every significant historical event originated, they may be able to elevate themselves to

a superhistorical standpoint. This standpoint, as described by Niebuhr, results from a deep understanding of history and provides knowledge about the way individuals perceive and demand others to see. Those who have not grasped this understanding are vulnerable to being overthrown by a powerful spirit who embodies passionate dedication. This superhistorical perspective eliminates the temptation to continue living and participating in history, as it exposes the inherent blindness and injustice in the soul of an individual in action. By reaching this standpoint, one would no longer take history too seriously.However, during this process, he would have gained insight into how and why people live their lives, regardless of their nationality or the time period in which they lived. One can easily determine who has previously been educated from a superhistorical perspective by asking their acquaintances if they would want to relive the past decade or two. Most likely, they will all answer "No!" but will provide different reasons for this response. Some may say that they believe the next twenty years will be better. These individuals are what we refer to as "historical people." Looking back into the past inspires them to continue living, ignites their hope for a brighter future, and strengthens their desire for justice and happiness. They believe that the purpose of existence will become clearer as time progresses. Therefore, they only look to the past to understand the present and to cultivate a stronger yearning for the future. Despite their focus on history, these historical people do not realize how non-historical their thinking and actions truly are. They also fail to recognize that their interest in history serves not only knowledge

but also their way of life.The question, whose initial response we have heard, can be answered differently, once again with a "No!" but with a different basis. The denial comes from the superhistorical person, who does not perceive healing in the process and sees the world as already complete and reaching its end in every moment. What can ten new years teach that the previous ten years have not been capable of teaching! The superhistorical individuals have not reached a consensus on whether the theory implies happiness, resignation, virtue, or repentance. However, contrary to all historical perspectives on the past, they unanimously believe in the following principle: the past and present are one and the same, encompassing their multiplicity with identical characteristics. They are motionless representations of unchanging values and eternally similar meanings. Just as the numerous languages correspond to the universally enduring needs of individuals, someone who comprehends these needs would find no new knowledge from all the languages. Similarly, the superhistorical thinker internally illuminates all histories of humanity and individuals, perceiving the original meaning behind various hieroglyphics like a clairvoyant. Gradually, they even grow tired of avoiding the constantly emerging new streams of written signals.In the midst of countless events, how can one not eventually reach a point of saturation, even revulsion, where the boldest individuals may find themselves ready, like Giacomo Leopardi, to tell their hearts and the earth that it is undeserving of a sigh? Our existence is marked by pain and boredom, and the world is nothing more than excrement. Take solace in this knowledge. However, let us leave those who possess a superhistorical perspective to their revulsion and wisdom.

Today, we would rather find joy in our lack of wisdom and make the day a happy one for ourselves as active and progressive individuals who respect the process. If our evaluation of history is biased towards the Western perspective, let it be so, as long as we continue to progress and not remain stagnant. Let us strive to better carry on history for the purpose of living! We gladly acknowledge that those with a superhistorical viewpoint may possess more wisdom than us, but we are confident that we have more life than them. Therefore, our lack of wisdom has a greater future than their wisdom. To further clarify this contrast between living and wisdom, I will establish a few well-established theses.When an individual recognizes a historical phenomenon, they perceive the delusion, injustice, and suffering associated with it. They also become aware of their own power within that phenomenon. This power, however, becomes powerless once it is understood as pure knowledge. History, when viewed solely as knowledge, signifies the end and final judgment for humanity. Only when history is guided by a higher force does it bring forth new life and a promising culture. History should not aim to become pure science like mathematics, as it serves a different purpose in the service of life. The extent to which history is necessary for living is a crucial question for the well-being of individuals, societies, and cultures. Excessive reliance on history leads to the deterioration of life and the decay of history itself.However, it is important to understand that living requires the services of history. This is just as important as the principle, which will be

shown later, that too much history can harm a person. There are three ways in which history is relevant to a living person. Firstly, it is relevant to them as an active and ambitious individual. Secondly, it is relevant to them as someone who preserves and admires. Lastly, it is relevant to them as a suffering person in need of liberation. These three relationships correspond to three methods of studying history: a monumental method, an antiquarian method, and a critical method. History primarily belongs to those who are active and powerful, individuals who fight great battles and seek guidance from exemplary figures. This is because they cannot find such individuals among their contemporaries. For example, Schiller embodies the idea that history belongs to those who are dissatisfied with the state of their age. According to Goethe, our age is so bad that poets no longer find inspiration in the people around them. Reflecting on active individuals, Polybius refers to political history as an example of how to rule a state and as the most influential teacher. Through studying the experiences of others, we can learn to navigate changes in our own happiness with determination.Anyone who has learned to appreciate the historical significance of the pyramids may feel annoyed when seeing curious tourists or meticulous researchers climbing all over these ancient structures. For them, the pyramids represent a place of inspiration and renewal, and they do not want to encounter idle individuals seeking mere distraction amidst the impressive works of art found in a gallery.

To prevent despair and disgust amidst a sea of passive and hopeless individuals, who may appear active but are merely restless companions,

the active person looks back and pauses on their path towards their goal to take a deep breath. Their purpose is to achieve some form of happiness, perhaps not only for themselves but also for their people or humanity as a whole. They retreat from resignation and utilize history as a means to combat such resignation.

Their motivation comes mainly from the desire for fame and recognition, aspiring to become a respected figure in the realm of history. In this temple of history, they can then assume the roles of teacher, comforter, and advisor for future generations. This is because they believe that whatever has previously expanded and enhanced the concept of "human being" must always remain present in order to preserve its potential.

The greatest achievements of individuals in their struggles throughout history form an interconnected chain that spans thousands of years, joining together a multitude of peaks representing humanity's collective accomplishments.The demand for a monumental history embodies a faith in humanity's greatness and eternity. However, opposition arises as everything else alive resists this notion. The mundane and base aspects of life act as barriers, clouding and obstructing the path towards immortality. However, this path must pass through the minds of anxious and short-lived beings who prioritize survival above all else. It is within these minds that the race for monumental history, the key to greatness' resurgence, must take place.Despite this, there are always a few individuals who awaken. They reflect on past greatness and are empowered by what they observe. They feel fortunate, as if human life is a precious thing, the most beautiful result of a harsh existence. They recognize that in earlier times,

different people approached life with pride, strength, depth, compassion, and a desire to help. These individuals all left behind a common teaching: that the most beautiful way to live is to not dwell on the meaning of existence.

While the average person contemplates this time span with melancholy seriousness and longing, those on the path to immortality and monumental history knew how to evoke laughter or lofty scorn. They would even approach their own graves with irony, as there was little worth burying of their existence. Only what they had always regarded as ashes, waste, vanity, and animalistic behavior would be forgotten long after their contempt for it.

However, one thing will endure—the symbol of their unique essence—an extraordinary work, action, inspiration, or creation. This will carry on because no future world can be without it. In its most blessed form, fame becomes more than just an expensive display of our pride and vanity, as Schopenhauer termed it. It represents the belief in the unity and continuity of greatness throughout all eras. It protests against the ever-changing generations and the transient nature of life.What purpose does the consideration of the past serve for modern individuals? By engaging with classics and rarities from earlier times, contemporary man realizes that the greatness that once existed is still possible. This realization provides him with courage and strength, as doubts about pursuing the seemingly impossible are dispelled. For instance, let's say someone believes that only a hundred productive and innovative individuals can eliminate the current trendiness in German culture. It would greatly empower them to know that the Renaissance culture thrived thanks to a similar group of a hundred individuals. However,

it is important to acknowledge that such comparisons are fleeting, weak, and imprecise. In order for the comparison to have a significant effect, they must overlook many differences and force the unique characteristics of the past into a more generalized form by smoothing out its sharp corners and angles.In essence, if the Pythagoreans were correct in their belief that the same constellations of celestial bodies would result in the repetition of phenomena on Earth, even down to the smallest details, then it is possible for something that was once possible to occur again. For example, when the stars align in a certain way, a Stoic and an Epicurean may come together and assassinate Caesar, and in another stellar alignment, Columbus may continuously rediscover America. However, this recurrence would only be possible if the Earth were to start its performance anew after each act, with the same motives, deus ex machina, and catastrophes repeating in a determined interval. Only then could a powerful man desire a monumental history that depicts each fact with precise characteristics and unity – a history that astronomers may need to revert to being astrologers before achieving. Until that time comes, monumental history will be unable to provide complete truthfulness. It will always bring dissimilar things closer together, generalize, and ultimately equalize them. The differences in motives and events will always be toned down in order to emphasize the monumental effectus effect, which serves as an exemplar worthy of imitation at the expense of the causae cause.hisorical perspective, monumental history and folk festivals both represent significant "effects in themselves." While folk festivals and religious or military remembrance days celebrate these effects, they

do not necessarily capture the true cause-and-effect relationships of history. By recognizing the true interconnection between cause and effect, it becomes clear that the future is unpredictable and no event will be exactly replicated. As long as historical writing focuses on the powerful driving forces behind events and presents the past as worthy of imitation, history runs the risk of being altered or reinterpreted to create a more beautiful narrative, bordering on poetic fiction. This blurring between monumental history and mythic fiction can occur, making it difficult to distinguish between the two.