History is a science that studies the features of human activity in the past. It makes it possible to determine the causes of events that took place long before us and in our day. Linked to a large number of social disciplines.
History as a science has existed for at least 2500 years. Its founder is considered the Greek scientist and chronicler Herodotus. In ancient times, this science was valued and considered to be the "teacher of life." In ancient Greece, she was patronized by the goddess Clio herself, who glorified people and gods.
History is not just a statement of what happened hundreds and thousands of years ago. It is not even only the study of processes and events that took place in the past. In fact, its purpose is more and deeper. It does not allow conscious people to forget the past, but all this knowledge is applicable in the present and future. This is a storehouse of ancient wisdom, as well as knowledge of sociology, military affairs, and much more. To forget the past means to forget your culture, heritage. Also, mistakes that have ever been made should not be forgotten, so as not to repeat them in the present and future.
The word "history" is translated as "investigation". That's a very appropriate definition,
borrowed from Greek. History as a science investigates the causes of events that took place, as well as their consequences. But this definition still does not reflect the whole point. The second meaning of this term can be taken as "a story about what happened in the past."
History as a science experienced a new rise in the Renaissance. In particular, the philosopher Krug finally determined her place in the system of teachings. A little later, it was corrected by the French thinker Naville. He divided all the sciences into three groups, one of which he called “History”; it was supposed to include botany, zoology, astronomy, as well as history itself as a science of the past and heritage of mankind. Over time, this classification has undergone some changes.
History as a science is specific, it requires facts, dates attached to them, chronology of events. However, it is closely related to a large number of other disciplines. Naturally, among the latter was psychology. In the last and the century before last, theories were developed about the development of countries and peoples, taking into account the "public consciousness" and other similar phenomena. The well-known Sigmund Freud also contributed to such doctrines. As a result of these studies, a new term appeared - psychohistory. The science expressed by this concept was to study the motivation of the actions of individuals in the past.
History is connected with politics. That is why it can be interpreted biasedly, embellishing and painting some events and carefully hushing up others. Unfortunately, in suchotherwise, all its value is leveled.
History as a science has four main functions: cognitive, ideological, educational and practical. The first gives the sum of information about events and epochs. The ideological function involves understanding the events of the past. The essence of the practical is in understanding some objective historical processes, "learning from the mistakes of others" and refraining from subjective decisions. The educational function involves the formation of patriotism, morality, as well as a sense of consciousness and duty to society.
