Leaning on the Giants

There were certain figures (here we are again referring to history that some of us have learnt) that raised their thinking to incredibly significant moments and ideas. Many of which not only changed other research, but also literally, changed the world (one or two are even responsible for changing the ‘shape’ of the world, in how people understood it anyway). Sometimes however, while it sounded like a good idea at the time, it may have been incredibly wrong, but until further knowledge was acquired, from other thinkers, sources and experiments, it held sway with the general populace or those ruling them. Some understood, some accepted. And consider the challenge. Some thinkers’ ideas changed the world without the support of any group, organisation or individual, initially. In fact, many, by going against the then current paradigms (political, physical or theological), challenged the ideas that ran the world or the powers (that thought they did).

To those ‘giants’ we owe an incredible debt. And it should be acknowledged as necessary, by teaching of history to all people today. This would give us a very real sense of perspective and place. Ask a young person today the first phase question. Do you believe in evolution or creation? Then if creation, what form? A classic quote by one of the renowned philosophers, Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche was, “Is Man one of God’s blunders or is God one of Man’s blunders?” (yes the capitals for God and man was intentional). This is a delightful approach to a serious field of study. And studied, it has been. There have been times when the differing views have split families, communities and entire nations. Seldom, has there not been in man’s history, a theological war, somewhere on the planet. Sadly this continues today on a global scale. I for one, do not understand the need. (more later) Now, if they say evolution when you asked the question, ask them where (as from the evidence of today’s thinking), ‘mankind’ evolved from. Can they name the three most recent species of the evolutionary tree. And no, monkey isn’t one.

This type of knowledge should be a part of all education. The basics. No different to learning the basics of language, maths or history. All have their place. Even faith and religion (I see the two as different) has a place. Unfortunately difference of theology today appears to cause greater division. It is well documented, even in the Middle Ages, during the ‘Dark Ages’ (called that for good reason), there was a coming together of knowledge that allowed peoples of all faith to study in the Muslim world. Because of that collaboration, the sciences, and much wisdom survived. That knowledge, used frequently today, in everything from health, transport to the wide variety of sciences today, survived, because respect of all knowledge was the cornerstone to the religious leaders of the time. They understood the essentials of knowledge. And where education cannot only be about the now, as appears to be the case with most current systems! It must be about the all. That, which has gone before. Those giants we should happily lean on for support not stand on for advantage.

(Continued tomorrow)