Why Study World History? By Peter N. Stearns

WHAP The studies of history harbor great gifts for those who are devoted enough to explore the beauties of the past. In “Why Study World History?” by Jerry H. Bentley and “Why Study History?” by Peter N. Stearns, the authors present their opinions on the potential benefits of studying historical information.
In Stearns’s passage, he emphasizes on how history gradually hones subtle, but beneficial habits for those who study it. Stearns’s first point on history is that it provides a fundamental scholarship of change. He introduces examples where mere experiments on human behavior are inadequate to predict changes in “major aspects of a society’s operation like mass elections, missionary activities, or military alliances” in order to convey
In his first stance, Bentley states that history must be seen globally in order to obtain a more contextualized and informed perspective of the past. He cites the American Civil War and its international factors including the “Strong British demand for raw cotton and institution of slavery...all of which that profoundly influenced the American Civil War” (Bentley, 3). He cautions that without addressing all the factors to history, one becomes obscured and biased towards a single explanation of the past. Bentley also addresses how studying world history develops positive morality in that it exposes readers to different societies. Bentley says that the fear of “difference” causes temptations to “elevate one particular allegiance above all, animating rabid nationalists, religious fundamentalists, xenophobic racists and other ideological zealots” (Bentley, 4). By studying world history, one grasps the background information about different cultures, helping one be more empathetic and accepting toward difference. Bentley also believes that while world history does develop one’s sense of righteousness, it also teaches cognitive skill, assessment of complex situation without having a biased fallacy, and intellectual
Bentley’s “Why Study World History?” and Peter N. Stearns “Why Study History?” overlap in some topics while they contrast in others. Both authors present the overarching theme of understanding through history’s context. They believe that studying the past gives one a more cultured and accurate perspective of societies. However, the authors branch off in how understanding history benefits an individual, society, and world. Stearns argues that “history teaches by example” by allowing readers to compare past situations and have better rationale, while Bentley focuses on how understanding different cultures will diminish fears of difference, thus leading to acceptance and tolerance. The two authors also disagree on how to approach studying history. Bentley believes that there are several facets of scholarship to exploring history (national or global history), while Stearns sees history as one subject. Stearns advocates that all history is beneficial, but Bentley believes that historical studies are situational, even admitting that “there are some purposes that world history does not serve particularly well” (Bentley, 3). Bentley and Stearn also agree on that history teaches ethics and wisdom by cultivating those who explore and learn about past events. However, Bentley believes that gaining wisdom is becoming more empathetic, while Stearns believes that gaining wisdom is becoming more informed about historical cause-and-effects. Regardless of the nuances in opinions,