Public Scholars at
Hanover College
Inquiries
Volume Two, Number Four - Summer 2002
The Lessons of History?
"History teaches us" is a favorite phrase of politicians and pundits. It is a phrase that usually prefaces some pet theory for which there is little or no supporting argument or evidence. The truth is that the lessons of history are open to interpretation and are themselves the subject of debate. Still, we are story-telling creatures; our history and the lessons therein are important to our understanding of ourselves. In the wake of the events of September 11, there has been much searching of history for insight into the nature of human conflict.
On November 3, 4, and 5, 2002, the Center for Free Inquiry at Hanover College will explore several aspects of that theme in a symposium entitled "Religion and Conflict in a Global Society." In this issue, Victor Davis Hanson, one of the participants from the "Have We Killed Homer?" symposium hosted by the Center last March, outlines the lessons that he believes can be learned by applying the world-view of the ancient Greeks and Romans to questions like: "Is war always bad? What really causes war? What is the relative value of cultural criticism as opposed to cultural confidence?" Professor Hanson's essay is followed by a response from Nicholas Baechle - newest member of Hanover College's rejuvenated Classics Program.
Jeffrey Brautigam
Jeffrey Brautigam is the Director of the Center for Free Inquiry at Hanover College, where he also teaches modern European history and the history of science.