A useful and comprehensive summary of Charles Dickens' book "Hard Times"
occurs in the Education supplement of "The Age" this week (27/.
In the dark satanic mills of Victorian England, Mr.Gradgrind had a
utilitarian view of teaching, and believed in drumming Facts into kids - to
the exclusion of most else.
While facts may be good, it is the exclusion of other things, like
"fancy", which is to be deplored.
Perhaps "modern" education has swung too much the other way, and "facts"
tend to be treated rather casually, even confused with fiction and
imagination?
True, drumming in the names and dates of British monarchs doesn't really
achieve much, but History as such is a record of past fact - and only one
set of facts (I'd allege), though there can be many partial interpretations
or records.
The aim of History should be - the achievement of the most accurate and
comprehensive account of what occurred.
Same with Current Affairs; a depiction which is accurate and free of
bias or partiality, seems desirable.
As to the Future? We can only judge this by extrapolation from past and
present; again, as accurately and comprehensively as we can. Can the
species Homo Sapiens view itself objectively. Ah, that's the real
challenge.
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PS: Have you seen Dickens' "A Child's History of England".
It, also, pulls no punches. Biased, yes; but that can be taken into
account. A useful neutraliser of more reverend versions.

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