Is it wrong to judge how people behaved in the past based on today's morals?

Is it wrong to judge how people behaved in the past based on today's morals? Jul 6, 2018 5:15:59 GMT klandersen likes this

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Post by goz on Jul 6, 2018 5:15:59 GMT

Jul 6, 2018 5:05:42 GMT Eλευθερί said:

Jul 6, 2018 2:21:17 GMT goz said:

Well, it sounds trite, butt you are not comparing apples and oranges, owing to the fact that morality is subjective and changing not only over time, butt over different cultures, hence there is not a meaningful comparison.

The issue comes up quite often. Do you agree that it is important to study history and learn from past mistakes? One way of informing/reminding present and future generations of history is through the veneration of historical figures. This often takes such forms as displaying statues of them, telling their stories in films/television/plays/novels, naming buildings or awards after them, or putting their faces on postage stamps.

Recently, there has been quite a bit of controversy in the US over whether to continue to celebrate famous Americans of history who, in addition to their positive contributions to society, also did things that would be considered immoral if someone today were to behave as they did then. Such as being a slaveholder, or being racist or antisemitic.

Even if morality is relative, those who are examining the behavior of past figures could use the morality of their own time as the relational basis for the judgment.

OK, I see where you are going with this as even an ignorant Aussie has heard of the controversy over civil war statues, flags and slavery issues in the USA. I still stick with my statement that it is pointless, however if comparisons have to be made, as in the areas I suggested, I think it is important to understand the historical context.

As a history buff, I am absolutely convinced that each era should NOT be viewed through a modern 'lense' though it can often be interesting to superimpose knowledge that we have now on historical scenarios of the past as a kind of 'what if'. Therefore I would come down on the side of letting the events of history speak for themselves in their own time and their own voice. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Most people in history did the best they could with what knowledge and technology they had.