History as a science

History is a science that deals with the study of the peculiarities of human activity in the past. It makes it possible to determine the causes of the events that took place long before us and nowadays. It is associated with a large number of public disciplines.

History as a science exists for no less than 2500 years. Its founder is considered the Greek scientist and chronicler Herodotus. In ancient times this science was appreciated and considered her "the teacher of life". In ancient Greece, she was patronized by the very goddess Clio, engaged in the glorification of people and gods.

History is not just a statement of what happened hundreds and thousands of years ago. This is not only the study of processes and events that took place in the past. In fact, her appointment is bigger and deeper. It does not allow conscious people to forget the past, but all this knowledge is applicable in the present and the future. This is a fount of ancient wisdom, as well as knowledge of sociology, military affairs, and much more. Forgetting the past means forgetting one's culture and heritage. Also, mistakes that were ever made, should not be forgotten, so as not to repeat them in the present and the future.

The word "history" is translated as "investigation". This is a very appropriate definition, Borrowed from Greek. History as a science investigates the causes of events that took place, as well as their consequences. But this definition does not yet reflect the whole point. The second meaning of this term can be perceived as "a story about what happened in the past."

History as a science experienced a new upsurge in the Renaissance. In particular, the philosopher Circle finally defined her place in the system of teachings. A little later he corrected the French thinker Naville. He divided all science into three groups, one of which he called "History"; It should include botany, zoology, astronomy, as well as history itself as a science about the past and heritage of mankind. Over time, this classification has undergone some changes.

History as a science is concrete, it requires the presence of facts, dates attached to them, the chronology of events. However, it is closely related to a large number of other disciplines. Naturally, among the latter was psychology. In the past and the century before last, theories were developed on the development of countries and peoples, taking into account "public consciousness" and other similar phenomena. In such doctrines, the well-known Sigmund Freud also contributed. As a result of these studies, a new term appeared - psychohistory. Science, expressed by this concept, was to study the motivation of the actions of individuals in the past.

History is connected with politics. That is why it can be interpreted biased, embellishing and picturing some events and carefully silencing others. Unfortunately, in this case all its value is leveled.

History as a science has four main functions: cognitive, worldview, educational and practical. The first gives the sum of information about events and epochs. The ideological function assumes comprehension of events of the past. The essence of practical - in the understanding of some objective historical processes, "learning from other people's mistakes" and abstaining from subjective decisions. Educational function involves the formation of patriotism, morality, as well as a sense of consciousness and duty to society.