History and Social Intelligence

by Harry Elmer Barnes

""History and Social Intelligence"" by Harry Elmer Barnes is a comprehensive exploration of the relationship between history and social intelligence. The book delves into the ways in which social intelligence can be used to understand and interpret historical events, and how historical knowledge can be used to enhance social intelligence. Barnes argues that a deep understanding of history is essential for developing social intelligence, as it provides a framework for understanding the complex social and political structures that shape our world. The book covers a wide range of topics, including the role of history in shaping culture and identity, the importance of historical perspective in decision-making, and the ways in which historical knowledge can be used to promote social justice and equality. Barnes draws on a wealth of historical examples to illustrate his points, making this book a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the relationship between history and social intelligence.1926. Barnes writes in the Preface The present work deals with the development of the new or synthetic and dynamic history, and indicates possible applications of this type of historical writing to some of the leading institutions and problems of contemporary civilization. The writer does not accept the view that history can in many cases be directly useful to the present generation through the discovery of alleged specific analogies between the remote past and the present day. Perhaps the greatest lesson of history is that it has no such lessons for our generation. The text is divided into four Parts Aspects of the Newer History; History, and Some Problems of Nationalism; Creation Tales; and The Rise and Fall of Democracy.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

620 pages, Paperback

First published May 18, 2004

Reviews

[Tommy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly of interest probably to those into the history of ideas but a documentary proof that academics weren't always pantywaists or total morons. The first chapter and last chapters are particularly good. It's just essays gathered together on a variety of subjects... and a little excessive in length. The entirety of part III (deflating some American historical pretensions) was mostly what I was interested in but the other sections on political theory and "modern" (1920s) political developments are as relevant today as ever given more recent exposure of diplomatic cables showing not much has changed in diplomacy/war making/political mechanics.

...Only history, through its ability to demonstrate the growth of knowledge and the accumulation of experience, can adequately prove the futility of looking backward for guidance and show the necessity of concentrating our interest on the present in the hope of improving the future.
In particular can the historian indicate with ease the fact that this perennial tendency to look back with reverence towards bygone ages is becoming ever more anachronistic and dangerous. The revolutionary and comprehensive changes in human culture and knowledge brought about by the scientific and industrial revolutions of the last century and a half have so altered our perspective and increased our knowledge that the wisest individuals in the world prior to our era could scarcely have possessed much valid or relevant information or insight which might be brought to bear upon contemporary problems and issues. The improbability of Moses being able to adjust the differential of a Ford or Aristotle being adequate to the task of installing a radio set is but a most incomplete illustrative example of the novelty of the present age. We do not even need to revert to Aristotle or Moses, but may ask ourselves what valid information a study of the life of Abraham Lincoln could bring to the solution of the problem of traffic regulation in New York City today.
Then, history can furnish a sort of cultural psychotherapeutic by revealing the process of myth-making and reverence-mongering in action. It can be shown that the ages to which we look still further back for guidance were themselves doubtful concerning the adequacy of their own intelligence and knowledge, and were wont to look back to the golden age of supposed omniscience which was believed to lie back of them.

[Moriah]

*rec ZeroHedge user SameAsItEverWas