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Of course our own history is more important to us than others' (which are extensively studied in the west as well), and cherry picking and narrative writing is

Of course our own history is more important to us than others' (which are extensively studied in the west as well), and cherry picking and narrative writing is also an ethical statement: We point to the values of ancient Greek democracy as our own democracy is in danger. We refer to the thinkers in our past as scientific thinking is questioned today. Especially when dealing with Greeks (and Romans), it is amazing how much of what is going on today was established and founded back then (e.g. German law is based on Roman law, therefore a law professor might look for clues in Roman values, not in Chinese values).

stareatgoats 9y ago
Agree it is only natural to be more preoccupied with a perceived 'own' history. But (quite commonly I would argue) we tend to use widespread but shallow perceptions of such a history to push an agenda, which may or may not be justified. For example, did you know that our current concept of democracy was seen as abhorrent by the ancient Athenians? They preferred 'sortition', or representation by lottery in order to avoid the risk of corruption of elected officials [1]. Can't say that they didn't have a point, and that their warnings have all but disappeared in intellectual history also points to (if not proves) some disengagement from actual facts in favor of self-aggrandizement in the discipline that I hinted at in the parent comment. I may be a bit unfair to a whole discipline, but this was one of main takeaways from several years in university level intellectual history. I came in hoping it would be a detached and inquisitive investigation into the history of human thought in general. I was disappointed, but I learned a lot, still. [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KS9EMvbBq_U https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KS9EMvbBq_U (3 minute agitation for sortition, but mentions the ancient Greeks at least)
- WillReplyfFood 9y ago
  The problem with corruption is the attempt to prevent it, instead of managing it. Sell a % of power but not at a fixed price- sell it in a hidden auction, call that one taxes, he who invests the most cash into it has the most of the fixed power percentage. Remove lobbyism to end corruption in the classic sence - and voila, democracy 2.0. "If we must have crime, we may as well organize it."
mygo 9y ago
It’s one thing to acknowledge that our own history is more important to us. It’s another thing to acknowledge that we can not fully be truth seekers / scholars when we let our preferences adulterate the search of truth

stareatgoats 9y ago

Agree it is only natural to be more preoccupied with a perceived 'own' history. But (quite commonly I would argue) we tend to use widespread but shallow perceptions of such a history to push an agenda, which may or may not be justified. For example, did you know that our current concept of democracy was seen as abhorrent by the ancient Athenians? They preferred 'sortition', or representation by lottery in order to avoid the risk of corruption of elected officials [1]. Can't say that they didn't have a point, and that their warnings have all but disappeared in intellectual history also points to (if not proves) some disengagement from actual facts in favor of self-aggrandizement in the discipline that I hinted at in the parent comment. I may be a bit unfair to a whole discipline, but this was one of main takeaways from several years in university level intellectual history. I came in hoping it would be a detached and inquisitive investigation into the history of human thought in general. I was disappointed, but I learned a lot, still. [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KS9EMvbBq_U https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KS9EMvbBq_U (3 minute agitation for sortition, but mentions the ancient Greeks at least)

WillReplyfFood 9y ago
The problem with corruption is the attempt to prevent it, instead of managing it. Sell a % of power but not at a fixed price- sell it in a hidden auction, call that one taxes, he who invests the most cash into it has the most of the fixed power percentage. Remove lobbyism to end corruption in the classic sence - and voila, democracy 2.0. "If we must have crime, we may as well organize it."

mygo 9y ago

It’s one thing to acknowledge that our own history is more important to us. It’s another thing to acknowledge that we can not fully be truth seekers / scholars when we let our preferences adulterate the search of truth