Does History Repeat Itself?

[Melian]

Most people think it does. Do you think we re-live certain situations? Do you think we could prevent some disaster from studying the past and avoiding its mistakes? Do humans really consider old failures or make them again?

[Niniel]

I think history never repeats itself exactly. There occur of course situations which are very similar to situations in the past, and people can try to learn something from the previous situations. In that way mistakes that were made in the past can be avoided. But because a situation is never exactly the same as it was earlier, there can be new mistakes. But as far as possible, I think people try to learn from history.

[Arebeth]

Thanks for the explanation. I was actually wondering why History classes sound just like moral classes...

[Idril]

I agree Niniel. One of mankind's problems is we don't recognise our circumstance as being similar to a previous event, we also have an over-confidence, if recognised, to believe we won't go down a similar path. This is rarely the case though - and are generally doomed to 'repeat history':( hope that made sense....

[Finduilas]

Well, there's even a term for that - de javu . (not sure of the spelling)
I personally believe that history repeats in a matter of mistakes. If we make a mistake (not only concerning political actions and wars), we inevitably make it again unless we have noticed and paid attention to it the first time.
We are not perfect and that's why we're doomed to repeat history, as Idril said.
When we see a person in a difficult situation, we say to ourselves : "That won't happen to m." And we belive it!
That's what makes us vulnerable, our lack of interest towards serious matters, our incompetence, call it.

[Maeglin]

Stupid freakin humans!! And the worst part is that when we say things like Finduilas said about how we just don't care enough, and then we say to ourselves and everyone that we will start to care...we never do! And it becomes and endless cycle which can be seen throughout history. :o