Ways by Which the Past Has Been Instrumental in Influencing the Present Society - Coursework Example

The past and the shape of things The past has been instrumental in shaping the order of doing things across all societies in the world. Both existing forms of life and social arrangements as well as ruling classes in all times have been closely influenced by the past. Also established authorities and economical systems have, in different ways, sought strength and legitimacy from the past. Starting from Eliade’s reconstruction of the role of sacred time and myths in traditional societies as well as account of the emergence of the idea of historical destiny in Israel, all form reasonable base to prove the influence and the role of the past on the present society. There has been use of various genealogical strategies (whether involving religion or not) to sanction existing power structures in the present society. For instance, the American society has been influenced by the past in most of its systems and authorities. This essay will provide a detailed discussion and analysis of various ways by which the past has been instrumental in influencing the present society across the world. There will be a description and comparison of the different manners in which the past has played this role. An evaluation of the extent that the past still plays a similar role in today’s society and culture will be provided. The past has been used by individuals and societies across the world for various reasons and in various ways (p.11). For instance, man has used the past to provide detailed explanation concerning “purpose and origin of human life” (p.11). The other areas that have been influenced by the past include “…sanctifying government institution across the world, providing validity to various class structures…” as well and providing “…moral examples…” to be emulated by members of the society (p.11). Also, man has relied on lessons from the past to “…vivify his educational and cultural processes…” as well as to provide thorough interpretation concerning the future (p.11). Both national life and individual life has been invested with the desired sense of dignity based on the past. Human consciousness has linked the sense of the past with that of the future. For instance, both the east and the west have linked their present with the future. Taking the case of the Chinese to represent the east, they “…interpreted their future with regards to the past (p. 11). A good example is connected with withdrawal of existing dynasties which resulted into formation of new ones, both in present and the future. They attached the fall of dynasties with withdrawal of mandates from heaven while the rise of new dynasties was linked to approval from heaven (p.11). Therefore, according to the Chinese, the past has a direct and strong influence on distribution of power, justice, prosperity and general well-being of their society (p. 28). Taking a look at the western Christian world, the past had a much more dynamic influence on their future. Christian cosmology stretched from the past through the present to the future. It was through Christian cosmology that the society was able to offer precise predictions about the future (p.12). Western historians have been trying to see and interpret the external world as it used to be in the past so as to formulate various aspects of “…social change and development…” (p.12). The past has played a big role in shaping the present and future industrial developments. Although the present and future industrial developments effort is geared towards change and conveniences, still the beginning of all present and future efforts of industrial revolutions can be traced back to early industrial; developments. Examples of the past efforts towards industrialization include”… agrarian, craft and commercial societies”(p.14). Therefore, the future industrial developments will only play a role of replacing the past effort industrial developments. However, a clear analysis of various steps involved in industrial revolution will still be dating back to the early craft, commercial and agrarian societies (p. 14). The past has been used to stress the essence of “…psychological reality” (p. 24). The societies around the world have based their psychological arguments on the past. For instance, it has been believed that through the study and understanding of the past, people learn and acquire positive virtues of “…strength, endurance, loyalty, courage as well as indifference to death” (p.24). for example, the Greek society are fond of gathering together to listen to great recitations from artists like Herodotus (p.25) they mostly listened to great work of art so as to acquire positive virtues as well as true meaning and influence of the past on their personal life. Western Christians have also defined their life by basing on the past life of Christian martyr. Christians have relied on lessons from the past to provide answers to various events taking place in both present and future society. For example, they seek for answers to events such as “…death, birth and continued progression” (p. 26). A lot of examples from the bible are used to teach and impart positive virtues into Christian lives. Christians are cautioned against evil conducts (p.81). Several cases of evil deeds have been recorded in the bible and are used to teach members of Christian society on possible consequences of committing evil acts. Jews attached a lot of importance to the past. The past had a unique role, among Jews, of “…molding the future of mankind towards a given direction of living” (p. 67). The lessons attained from the past were instrumental in leading a person to a future life that is different from his previous living. Information from the past provides answers to the source and origin of Jews belief and trust in superior God (p. 67). The Jews believed that their God is superior across all gods in the world. On the other hand, Greeks have attached much importance on the past but do not have a strong believe concerning the power of God as Jews. Various events in the past were used by Jews to show the intervention of God in the world. The trust and importance that the Jews have associated with God is greatly attached to the past information. According to the divine role of the past that Jews believe in, God has been described not only as superior but also in totality. The mind of men is thus dominated by the divine power of God which is capable of combining the past, present and future development (p. 70). Apart from roles such as store of information, provision of life examples and events, the past has become dynamic through the “…unfolding stories) (p. 20). Therefore, the past has been important in strengthening faith and believe that Jews as well as western Christians have in God. The past events, circumstance and prophecies have been among the main areas reasons that has enriched the strength of Christians in God. The events provided a guideline for Jews to define the destiny of Israel. However, the belief of Jews had little influence in the world, since different people had different believe and perception of the past just as the Greeks. In fact the belief of Jews attached to the past caused problems with people from different past of the world. Jews found themselves in struggles against Romans. They were dispersed while their temple destroyed during the struggle. Nevertheless, Jewish belief in the past gained relevance after receiving support by the state authority. It is the strong belief that Jews had in God which resulted into establishment of the modern church. The belief is one of the great ideas that western society has “…ever conceived in the world” (p. 71). The spread of Christianity to the western has been as a result of its capability to weld both the past and the present together. The present church, as explained before, is as a result of trying to promote trust and belief in past events and information. Christians in the world needed to institutionalize their faith and belief in a superior God, so as there is continuity in accessing answers to life questions. The established church had to be lead by “…priests and deacons who would offer interpretation of the present life with respect to the past Christian life” (p. 73). The present widespread growth of Christianity among western countries was enhanced by “…conversion of Constantine…” as well as relentless effort by the intellectual elites among Christians (p.79). Despite much opposition from “…pagan leadership and antichrists”, Christianity has continued to undergo developments (p.79, 80). Some of the development stages connecting the past through the present to the future is unfolding of events such as liberation of Israelites by “…Moses, the life, death and resurrection of Jesus…” as well as pilgrimage journey towards mans destiny (p. 77). Farther development and modification of the past information regarding the church took place in New England during the seventeenth century (p.83). England witnessed emergency of protestant communities against Catholics interpretation of the past Christian life. The conflict resulted into emergency of propagandists who accused the Rome Catholics of imposing antichrist doctrines upon the people. Protestants claimed “…that Catholic Martyrs were not real” (p. 83). The struggle resulted to the notion that England had become the new Israel and had a “…special role of securing Christ kingdom…” (p. 84). Analyzing the past information concerning the struggle between Catholics and Protestants provides clear information on the origin of the present Christian denominations. Also, the available information from the past shows the success of British Empire during eighteenth and nineteenth century. In addition, the confusion surrounding the “…growth, modification and development of the world society…” great ideas of human has remained alive and continues to grow (p. 87). Although rulers of the world were among member of the society keen on the past, they used past information for different purposes, as compared to the role of the past on the life of men. Many rulers across the world use the past to justify the authority that their governments have on the society (p. 27). Interpretation of the past provided enough prove for rulers to show their legacy to the people. Both officials and priests had to seek explanations and interpretations concerning change of dynasty resulting from actions taken by members of the society. The information was and is still necessary in reconciling the present change of power in the society, just as “the Palermo Stone…” which symbolizes the continuity of kingship in Egyptian life (p. 29). Looking at the American society, there used to be a strong belief that it had a responsibility to spearhead the use of the past in shaping the government legitimacy. The conflict between secular and theological past seemed to favour the secular society. According to the conclusion made by Jonathan Edward, “…the idea of new Israel as well as past information from the bible was diminishing” (p. 88). However, the collapse of efforts to promote theological past in America did not offer a lasting solution with regard to special providential destiny. The establishment of secular past I America resulted from American Revolution. However, there were other intellects who argued that American was pure and clean and its past was to be used in “…judging all world histories” (p.89). The statements defending American past was just a historic recording to manufacture American past. Despite the rise of secular society in American, its past had borrowed much from theological reasoning then added fresh dimensions to it. Following the decline of Christian past, several secular theories and ideologies have emerged trying to provide a powerful structure regarding the past. Among them is social “…Darwinism and Hegelianism…” (p. 97). Darwinism provided a powerful scientific structure to the past used during early industrialization of the society. The theory found application in the entire world as it predicted a future that seemed to be real with regard to the competitive imperial world. The predictions are still evident in the present world due to the ideology of survival of the fittest. Thus social revolutionary have been universal and radical by interpreting the past in a way that makes their future predictions seem inevitable (p. 98). Read More