Learning From History

What can history teach us about justifying violence? The late historian, Barbara Tuchman, was skeptical of our ability to learn from history. The epilogue of her book, The March of Folly, is entitled, "A Lantern on the Stern," suggesting history may illuminate the follies of the past but may not light the way to a wiser future. Thucydides seems equally skeptical, beginning his History of the Peloponnesian War by "hoping that his study will be judged useful by those who want to understand clearly the events which happened in the past and which (human nature being what it is) will be repeated in the future." Why do we resort to violence, even when it is contrary to enlightened self-interest? How is it that wisdom seems not to prevail over war? Because human nature is not static, this course suggests it’s possible to use the lessons of history to help transform human nature. It asks if violence ever is justified. It posits a philosophy of history that provides a framework on which to make wiser decisions – and presents examples of the folly of resorting to violence.

Estimated average course time for completion of this course: 3 weeks