Modern Snobbery
The Problem of Disrespecting History
History is evidence based arguments made by rational humans to derive upon the cause of the present; however, it is also a story twisted many times. The mundane reality of human history is that it is very similar to the present, because people are consistent in their needs and wants. People suffered and succeeded in the past just as they do today. The big difference between history and the present is that the present can exponentially benefit from the past. Thus, people today live better lives overall compared to their ancestors. However, often human history is seen through a lens of distaste and disrespect. Humans in the present have a tendency to view the past as negative, and ancient human actions as backwards or taboo. Sometimes this view excludes ones own culture and creed, but is casted upon others. This attitude causes the negative aspects of humanity to repeat, and the lessons learned by our ancestors to be relearned by us the hard way. Respecting and understanding the collective memory of humanity is essential in progressing as a species.
A relevant example of this can be applied to the modern mental health crisis. Ancient humans across varying cultures compiled methods of improving and maintaining mental health. The ancient Indians invented Yoga, a wholistic approach to health which aims to focus on mental, physical, emotional, social and — for those who need it — spiritual health. Yoga’s balanced approach at dealing with all aspects of health significantly improve an individual’s life quality, specifically their mental health. The Prussian philosopher Immanuel Kant explored and explained morality and how the health of a rational creature is benefited by making morally right decisions. Young people suffering from negative mental health fall victim to immoral decisions, which magnify the ailments even further. Conditions such as depression significantly change the way a person thinks, and many times their morality gets compromised or even crushed. Understanding Kant’s work can help begin the process of healing or at least limit the damage which poor mental health can cause. Dismissing the knowledge of the Indians and Prussians simply because they were in a past time period is to dismiss the boons their arduous and thorough explorations have brought forth. The mental health crisis could be significantly reduced if mainstream humanity were to seriously study its past with rationality and respect.
There is a dangerous trend which causes certain individuals to dismiss great wisdom from the past because the thinkers belonged to a certain social, biological, or geographical group. “Old white man,” is a common term used to dismiss important ideas and inventions which have significantly benefited humanity. Sometimes the negative deeds of past individuals is highlighted as a method of dismissing any beneficial contribution they have made, with a complete ignorance of the context of those individuals. Hammurabi’s Code has many inhumane sections; however, it is the first known evidence of standardized law within human civilization. Many pillars of human progress such as contract law, criminal law, and tort law are present in Hammurabi’s code. The cruelty of certain punishments should not be used to dismiss Hammurabi’s important contribution to humanity.
The practice of looking at human history with modern snobbery is a dangerous one. This attitude was the culprit behind western intellectuals getting away with calling non-European civilizations barbaric. Times may have changed, and racism has been on a demise; however, this derogatory attitude towards human history remains pervasive and maybe even more wide spread.
The generations of humans alive today are the most educated in all of human history, and as good intellectuals it is our duty to rationally and respectfully understand the past in its completeness, and apply any lessons which may be relevant to these modern times. If such a complete understanding is impossible, then a basic level of respect must be given when discussing the ancestors whose shoulders we stand so tall upon.
