For the teaching of history in schools to be effective, it must be useful for something – either in an intellectual sense (for a better understanding of the world) or in a practical sense (for various professions related to the humanities). The only purpose of teaching an “encyclopedia of facts” is that it is good to have a minimum of knowledge in every field. Teaching history to mark group identity is acceptable, as is any education in the field of national culture, provided it is not exclusive with regard to the heritage and achievements of others. As a history teacher, the author does not accept the teaching of history for the purpose of inculcating a sense of national pride. He would like the study of history to increase the intellectual abilities of students, and in effect, their wisdom.
