Society Baby

How would our civilization be like now if historical facts had never been recorded for posterity?

I believe that some historical "facts" are possibly incorrect because of the lack of reliable records to sustain its veracity. Jesus is a good example. There are no reliable sources that prove the certainty of Jesus' existence. Roman historians did not mention Jesus at all in their records, but nonetheless Christianity went to become one of the main influences in shaping western civilization. It seems that Christianity was erected on a completely fake foundation. This is a good example of the danger of accepting some historical "facts" as authentic. So, how would our civilization be like now without History? Thanks a lot.

Public Comments

1. terrible just terrible
2. Well we learn from our mistakes, so we would be making more of them (is that possible?) and some amazing art is a great example of historical recordings. Eventually someone would be smart enough to begin leaving historical documentation. Until then our lives would just be a little ...behind.
3. Without history,our past would be as mysterious as the boundaries of the universe.It's my favorite subject in school and without it,I don't know what i'd do. I like how sometimes,certain things aren't known as a fact in history.It leaves us with a mystery,more wiggle room for our imagination
4. Extinct I suspect - we can all learn lessons from history I believe. Some may believe that Christianity is fake, but many 'Christians' changed society for the good. Those who so believed in the welfare of others - e.g. ending slavery - making laws against children in the workplace - down the mines - cleaning chimneys - in the cotton mills etc. Improving social conditions - to name a few. Do we not learn from others mistakes..if not should we at least try?
5. It would still have been full of fairy tales that give support and power to the dominant people in societies.
6. I suggest you read A Case For Christ by Lee Strobel. I used to think there wasn't enough historical record of Jesus either. It is written by an athiest reporter so he begins with bias in the complete opposite direction. Whether you agree with him or not it's based completely on fact that you can check yourself. As for your question, I agree that the past is a good lesson for the future. But I also believe that everything decays, including society, and in the long scheme of things it does not get better, but worse. I'm not a pessimist, just a realist and a history lover. Without history we would not have anything to build upon, just as you said.
7. how would that be possible unless man never learned written language...even a simple recipe is way of recording data for future reference...Much of great literature is not merely historical facts but still gives reference to great ideas and thoughts. Besides, most religions including christianity were passed on even though many of the converts lacked the ability to read. True enough that much damage can be done by propaganda... But the true danger is when nothing but propaganda exists
8. Totally agree I believe that the Bible was a form of early government in order to control the populace at that time. Now taken completely out of context - is completely irrelevant today. The Media [newspapers, tv] are notorious at propelling generalisation, and false or sloppy journalism. Also what happens if religion [vatican] runs out of money and could not afford to pay priests and to build /maintain churches etc etc would religion die out? The way human civilisation evolves through innovation and history without history we couldn't improve [evolve]
9. Without written history go to the monkey cage at the zoo for an example of what human life would be like. The accumulation of information and trait of teaching + learning is what divides humans from the rest of the animal kingdom. Accurate or inaccurate - it's the act which is profound.
10. How would the world be without the story of Cyrus II the Great? And then of Alexander the Great? Boring. Uninspiring. These two may have been the greatest of all. I can add to them Ashoka the Great. That is a trio for you AquAzul! The rest has been an imitation, good with the Macedonians, the Romans, and then less and less until now when there is nothing. So, at least History can show us great men. And the great women going with them. Like for instance, we forget about the love mother to son there was between Darius' mother and Alexander the Great. Sisigambis just died after he died. There is so much fun in history, in addition to the events.It also gives us something to study, to say, to debate. It should guide us for the present. But we prefer to say it will help us in the future. AquAzul, the world would be very boring without history and teachers would say all they want to reinvent it. They already do. It is a good thing that we do have texts and archaeology to put a stop to their inventions. I mean real history not religious one. History with facts. Although we are missing quite many important facts. We have plenty to secure our knowledge and understanding of developments. History is definitely a good thing!
11. Probably civilization will unfold to be exactly the way it has. Why? There are enough fanatics and enough people who desperately want to believe them. I need to point out to you that history is not an exact science either. Government and politics will preserve and impose the best sounding records it has available to explain a country's origins and foundations. There are "approved versions" of every nation's history.