"It is this conception of the unity of the human career which is perhaps the greatest achievement of historical study, since it gained a place analogous to that of natural science"
- James H. Breasted
About this Quote
This quote by James H. Breasted speaks to the importance of historic study in understanding the human experience. Breasted recommends that the greatest accomplishment of historic study is the ability to see the human experience as a combined whole. This is analogous to the way natural science is able to view the natural world as an unified whole. By studying history, we can get a much better understanding of how the past has actually shaped today and how today will form the future. We can also get insight into the interconnectedness of various cultures, societies, and people. Historical research study allows us to acquire a much better understanding of the human experience and how it has actually progressed gradually. This understanding can help us to make much better decisions in the present and plan for a much better future.