As a history major, I have not spent a lot of my academic time studying biological evolution, DNA sequences, or science in general. That being said, I think that it is important to remember that without biology, without an understanding of human nature and genetic makeup, it is almost impossible to study anything else. Just as history is in everything, science is in everything.
When I was in high school I loved studying genetics and biology as a more broad subject. Coming back to it (however briefly) in this anthropology course has been refreshing and in a weird way reminds me of the inter-connectivity of history. While studying history, I have focused on political history, which is a long way from human evolution. I do think, however, that the hierarchies that have always been in place in human society comes from our connection to the animal world and our evolution from primates.
History itself is often set up to be studied in a similar way to evolution. Indeed, all of history is just understanding how humans adapt and grow and conquer their environments. Evolution in history is not biological (though there are medical historians who would say otherwise), but philosophical, ecological, moral, and practical. The evolution in religious thinking alone from the 15th century to the 18th century is monumental. As a historian, one needs to track schools of thought just as an evolutionary biologist would track the growth and development of animals.
In terms of human variability, history obviously studies many different cultures, political systems, and social structures. The way human societies have developed has something to do with human evolution as a foundation, so again, I enjoyed this week’s videos because it helped me step out of my history brain and into a more fundamental look at humans and their relationships to the world.
While I think there is a lot of interpretation and theories when it comes to evolution, I think in science it’s easier to streamline general knowledge about things. History for the most part is about interpretation, and in some cases opinions. Understanding a historical event from one country’s perspective is just as valid as understanding it from another’s. When thinking about historical evolution, it’s almost impossible to say for sure when something started, because you get so far down a rabbit hole of catalysts. As in evolution, all of history is tied together by past events. Also like evolution, I find that history is like a puzzle that is never quite finished, because once you have one area completed, more information if found. I think that probably evolutionary biologists find this part of their work fascinating as well.
Though my studies do not connect with evolution very much, it was nice to be able to zoom out of my field to understand the foundations of humanity. I think it is important to have general knowledge outside your area of expertise. It was also fun to revisit a subject that I enjoyed very much in high school.
Hey!
I really liked how you connected history to evolution and biology, especially in the statement of “… history is in everything, science is in everything.” I feel like it’s so easy to forget that these two areas of study are closely intertwined with each other. I especially liked, as I read further through your post, how you talked about the evolution of history, how instead of looking at the biological aspect of it you look at philosophy, morals, etc. I’m kind of in the same boat as you, I’m studying anthropology with a focus on archaeology, and I definitely agree that history is a never-ending puzzle like evolution. But beyond that it was really refreshing to read someone else’s take on evolution from a different historical standpoint.
I think that the connection you made to history is super interesting. I feel like when people think about evolution they’re drawn back to their high school biology class and thinking about science, but evolution is very applicable in a non-science way as well. This idea that humans are consciously adapting to their environment in the same way that all species adapt through evolution is very interesting. Societies are constantly evolving to keep up with different trends and different schools of thought because humans are constantly changing the ways that we think about certain things; from a historical standpoint, humans are evolving our ways of thinking in a very beneficial and positive way. Without our ability to evolve, humans would forever be stuck in one single way of thought for the rest of time, and the idea of that happening sounds terrifying.
Hi there, I found your post very interesting and educational! I agree with your statement that “just as history is in everything, science is in everything.” The two are extremely connected and it is hard to find something that exists without a tie to history, science, or both. I agree that political history is a long way from human evolution. I also believe that our hierarchal society comes from evolution. I am a political science major so I had to dig a bit deeper to write this blog post, but I also found that social structures and people’s personal political opinions and beliefs all tie into evolution, and in this case also history. I agree that this week’s videos helped provide a better look at humans and their relationship to the world.
Hi,
I too come from a non-STEM major and found the evolution of humans extremely interesting. I also find it important for people who are not necessarily studying or pursing a career in science to have a strong understanding of human nature and their genetic makeup. I do want to ask you though how in your history major has positioned itself to see how humans evolved? Does the evolution of empires or civilizations touch on the fact that humans have moved throughout the earth in certain patterns and if so, would those traits be like the ones in our videos? I think it is great for us non-STEM majors to investigate evolution from a different point of view. I also enjoy your perspective on history in that it “is like a puzzle that is never quite finished”.
Hello! I enjoyed your post.
As a supply chain major, I come from a non-stem major too. I found your post incredibly relatable and insightful. At the beginning I liked how you mentioned “anthropology course has been refreshing and in a weird way reminds me of the inter-connectivity of history.” I completely agree. It’s been an interesting experience to get back into a “science” mindset and have an appreciation for evolution and human variability.
One of my follow up questions to you would be, how do you think as a history major at Michigan State that our school could better incorporate the sciences into your school? I found myself questioning this when I was writing my post as well last week. I am curious to hear your perspective!
Additionally, when you said in evolution, all of history is tied together by past events. Also like evolution, I find that history is like a puzzle that is never quite finished, because once you have one area completed, more information if found” – I found it insightful to bring in this analogy. As a non-STEM major, I question the idea of not having an answer to everyone problem or situation. Especially with taking a lot of data and math courses within the business school, there are often at times one right answer.