So are we just going in circles or are we moving in some direction? An interesting topic I came across recently was the different viewpoints of history. From this book I read, they were expressing how there are many ways people have sought to explain history, but that it can basically be narrowed down to two main thoughts. One being that history is linear. There is a goal and direction to history. The other being that history is circular. There will forever be a cycle of war and peace. This is quite a simplification and I’ll try to explain more as we go along and hopefully be able to introduce a third view of history. If you aren’t a huge fan of history, I get you, trust me. However, this topic is very interesting because our viewpoint of history will shape the way we see our own lives and the future. Let me explain.
“If history is grasped as a linear movement, we can have hope in the development of history, but we are left without a good understanding of the breakdowns and revivals in human history. On the other hand, when we regard history as a circular movement, nations and cultures become destined to perish, and we are left without any hope.”
There is no doubt that we make choices in our lives. And so it may seem that our lives, and history for that matter, are all determined by human choices alone. This occurrence was a consequence of that event created by human beings which was a result of these choices and so on. However, if this was only the case then how could it be possible that we have had progress in our society? Moral or tangible progress.
After thousands of wars, hundreds of attempts at genocide, and corrupt leadership throughout history it would seem that our world should have been destroyed long ago. It cannot be merely our will to survive that has allowed us to progress. That instinct we have is self-sustaining, and it is often this self-centered thinking that has led to all these problems I listed at the beginning of this paragraph. What has allowed for progress, even in the midst of chaos and evil is the desire to sacrifice for something beyond ourselves. We find it in the young men and women who joined the war to protect their loved ones and homes. We find it in the people who dedicate their lives to preserving wildlife and saving endangered animals. We find it in the heart of a mother who sacrifices her health for the sake of bringing new life into this world.
Inside of us there is this nature. That pursues harmony, goodness and truth, and has hope that we can attain that for the whole world. Conversely, there is clearly a nature in us that cares only for our benefit without regard for the consequences it may have on ourselves (in the long term) or others. We can recognize these two conflicting natures within ourselves on a daily basis.
If we can accept that there is a direction history has been heading in, and that direction being one towards a peaceful and developing world, then it would seem that the nature we find within ourselves to be altruistic must be our true nature. Because it is aligned with the direction history has been going in.
So, here we can discuss how history has developed. When people act in a way that is in accordance to our true nature, then it awakens in others the same nature. That is why movies or stories of heroics touch a deep part of us as we too want to be a hero, someone who can bring something good into this world or, at the least, into one person’s life. Even the most wicked of people can be won over by someone who has decided to act out of love and not to retaliate. If these two people, or two families, or two nations can unite then they can bring about peace and development for everyone. And by unite I mean the side or group that is acting in a way that is self-serving or harmful must humble themselves to learn the way of righteousness from the other side or group for the sake of a peaceful and happy world for everyone. If we pictured this in the context of a family with two brothers who felt enmity towards each other, they could bring about peace and prosperity if they came to love and forgive each other because of the deep understanding that their parents loved both of them and wanted to have harmony in their family.
For me one great example of this is from the movie Hacksaw Ridge. He was a young man with the desire to support the allied forces in their fight during WWII. He was like many brave young men back then, however, because of his strong faith he made a commitment to not take up arms. I don’t want to give up too much of the story but you can probably imagine how a man would be looked at and treated in the army if he refused to use a gun when heading off to war. In the end he does the impossible, saving many men, and wins the respect of all of his fellow soldiers. Defeat seemed to be their destiny, but after witnessing his act of courage and faith all the men were able to believe once more that victory would be theirs, and they fought together to win the battle. It’s a true story.
In the end, it is important to recognize that although history can be argued to have a direction and goal, it does not mean that the goal will be reached magically by itself. What I am saying is that we have a responsibility, each one of us. Our choices and actions (or inactions) have a big impact on if we reach that goal or not. Therefore we cannot be inactive idealist, nor egocentric realists, but people with the desire and determination to be responsible for paving history towards a world of peace, unity and joy. This is that third view of history I mentioned at the begining. If you fibe with what I am saying and you want to be that sort of person, then please don’t lose hope even when everything seems to be going crazy or backwards. Believe in the goal and keep on learning, improving and doing your best.
“If history is grasped as a linear movement, we can have hope in the development of history, but we are left without a good understanding of the breakdowns and revivals in human history. On the other hand, when we regard history as a circular movement, nations and cultures become destined to perish, and we are left without any hope.”
There is no doubt that we make choices in our lives. And so it may seem that our lives, and history for that matter, are all determined by human choices alone. This occurrence was a consequence of that event created by human beings which was a result of these choices and so on. However, if this was only the case then how could it be possible that we have had progress in our society? Moral or tangible progress.
After thousands of wars, hundreds of attempts at genocide, and corrupt leadership throughout history it would seem that our world should have been destroyed long ago. It cannot be merely our will to survive that has allowed us to progress. That instinct we have is self-sustaining, and it is often this self-centered thinking that has led to all these problems I listed at the beginning of this paragraph. What has allowed for progress, even in the midst of chaos and evil is the desire to sacrifice for something beyond ourselves. We find it in the young men and women who joined the war to protect their loved ones and homes. We find it in the people who dedicate their lives to preserving wildlife and saving endangered animals. We find it in the heart of a mother who sacrifices her health for the sake of bringing new life into this world.
Inside of us there is this nature. That pursues harmony, goodness and truth, and has hope that we can attain that for the whole world. Conversely, there is clearly a nature in us that cares only for our benefit without regard for the consequences it may have on ourselves (in the long term) or others. We can recognize these two conflicting natures within ourselves on a daily basis.
If we can accept that there is a direction history has been heading in, and that direction being one towards a peaceful and developing world, then it would seem that the nature we find within ourselves to be altruistic must be our true nature. Because it is aligned with the direction history has been going in.
So, here we can discuss how history has developed. When people act in a way that is in accordance to our true nature, then it awakens in others the same nature. That is why movies or stories of heroics touch a deep part of us as we too want to be a hero, someone who can bring something good into this world or, at the least, into one person’s life. Even the most wicked of people can be won over by someone who has decided to act out of love and not to retaliate. If these two people, or two families, or two nations can unite then they can bring about peace and development for everyone. And by unite I mean the side or group that is acting in a way that is self-serving or harmful must humble themselves to learn the way of righteousness from the other side or group for the sake of a peaceful and happy world for everyone. If we pictured this in the context of a family with two brothers who felt enmity towards each other, they could bring about peace and prosperity if they came to love and forgive each other because of the deep understanding that their parents loved both of them and wanted to have harmony in their family.
For me one great example of this is from the movie Hacksaw Ridge. He was a young man with the desire to support the allied forces in their fight during WWII. He was like many brave young men back then, however, because of his strong faith he made a commitment to not take up arms. I don’t want to give up too much of the story but you can probably imagine how a man would be looked at and treated in the army if he refused to use a gun when heading off to war. In the end he does the impossible, saving many men, and wins the respect of all of his fellow soldiers. Defeat seemed to be their destiny, but after witnessing his act of courage and faith all the men were able to believe once more that victory would be theirs, and they fought together to win the battle. It’s a true story.
In the end, it is important to recognize that although history can be argued to have a direction and goal, it does not mean that the goal will be reached magically by itself. What I am saying is that we have a responsibility, each one of us. Our choices and actions (or inactions) have a big impact on if we reach that goal or not. Therefore we cannot be inactive idealist, nor egocentric realists, but people with the desire and determination to be responsible for paving history towards a world of peace, unity and joy. This is that third view of history I mentioned at the begining. If you fibe with what I am saying and you want to be that sort of person, then please don’t lose hope even when everything seems to be going crazy or backwards. Believe in the goal and keep on learning, improving and doing your best.
Quote from Unification Thought
Title credit to Jose Gonzalez’s Stay Alive
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