The Case for Big HistoryThe Case for Big HistoryAn Essay by David ChristianAn Essay by David Christian

Argument and Counter-Argument and Counter-Argument Analysis OutlineArgument Analysis Outline

The question that Christian The question that Christian addresses in his essay:addresses in his essay:

What is the scale on which history What is the scale on which history should be studied (taught)? should be studied (taught)? OR, how OR, how should history be studied (taughtshould history be studied (taught)?)?

To answer this question– you need to To answer this question– you need to know what “scale” refers to…know what “scale” refers to…

Scale…Scale…

Scale = whatever time period seems Scale = whatever time period seems appropriate to the topic being studied appropriate to the topic being studied (example: 100 years, a decade, 500 years, (example: 100 years, a decade, 500 years, 1000 years, etc.)1000 years, etc.)

According to the author… “the appropriate According to the author… “the appropriate time scale for the study of history MAY be time scale for the study of history MAY be the whole of time … on many different the whole of time … on many different time scales up to that of the universe time scales up to that of the universe itself– 10 to 20 billion years ago.”itself– 10 to 20 billion years ago.”

““Big History”Big History”

A way of studying history on a time A way of studying history on a time scale appropriate for studying a scale appropriate for studying a broad and multiple-layered history of broad and multiple-layered history of the past (to answer complex the past (to answer complex questions about changes that have questions about changes that have occurred over a very long time).occurred over a very long time).

David Christian’s ArgumentsDavid Christian’s Arguments ““Big History” allows big, meaningful Big History” allows big, meaningful

questions to be asked which encourages the questions to be asked which encourages the search for larger meanings about the past.search for larger meanings about the past.

Examples:Examples:

1.1. What is the global context of specific What is the global context of specific societies?societies?

2.2. What is the history of humanity?What is the history of humanity?

3.3. What is the relationship between humans What is the relationship between humans and ALL living things?and ALL living things?

4.4. How did life begin?How did life begin?

David Christian’s Arguments, David Christian’s Arguments, con’tcon’t

““Big History” allows us to answer big Big History” allows us to answer big questions that merge several questions that merge several disciplines—combining science and disciplines—combining science and the humanities (literature, history, the humanities (literature, history, philosophy, etc.).philosophy, etc.).

Counter-Arguments by Historians Counter-Arguments by Historians Opposed to “Big History” Opposed to “Big History” (according to Christian)(according to Christian)

Studying “big history” is just not an Studying “big history” is just not an acceptable way of studying history (it acceptable way of studying history (it violates historians’ violates historians’ conventional conventional methods methods of studying history)of studying history)

1.1. On a large time scale, history becomes On a large time scale, history becomes too general to be useful.too general to be useful.

2.2. On a large time scale, there is too much On a large time scale, there is too much detail for the historian to handle.detail for the historian to handle.

3.3. Most historians do not have the expertise Most historians do not have the expertise to “handle” history on such a large scale.to “handle” history on such a large scale.

Christian’s Rebuttal Christian’s Rebuttal ArgumentsArguments

““Detail” shouldn’t be an issue… Detail” shouldn’t be an issue… something that is important on one something that is important on one scale may be “detail” on another or scale may be “detail” on another or may vanish completely on an even may vanish completely on an even larger time scale.larger time scale.

When using larger scales, detail is When using larger scales, detail is lost BUT larger ideas become lost BUT larger ideas become noticeable (ideas that would never noticeable (ideas that would never be noticed on a smaller time scale).be noticed on a smaller time scale).

More Rebuttal ArgumentsMore Rebuttal Arguments

If a question involves more than one If a question involves more than one discipline (biology, anthropology, discipline (biology, anthropology, astronomy, etc.), historians/teachers astronomy, etc.), historians/teachers can “team teach” the material or get can “team teach” the material or get help from experts in these help from experts in these disciplines.disciplines.

David Christian’s Rationale for David Christian’s Rationale for “Big History”“Big History”

MAIN: Historians really cannot understand MAIN: Historians really cannot understand the past fully unless they go back to the the past fully unless they go back to the beginning of time.beginning of time.

SUB: Studying “big history” allows historians SUB: Studying “big history” allows historians to overcome the problem of “not being able to overcome the problem of “not being able to see the forest for the trees”– OR to see the forest for the trees”– OR collecting too many details from a small collecting too many details from a small amount of time prevents historians from amount of time prevents historians from seeing the “big picture.”seeing the “big picture.”

Christian’s Example:Christian’s Example: What is the time scale on which we What is the time scale on which we should study the issue of economic should study the issue of economic

growth in human history?growth in human history?

According to E.L. Jones– the According to E.L. Jones– the appropriate scale is 5,000 years (this appropriate scale is 5,000 years (this is how long “civilizations” have been is how long “civilizations” have been around– beginning with the ancient around– beginning with the ancient Mesopotamians)Mesopotamians)

What do you think?What do you think? What does Christian think?What does Christian think?

What is wrong with considering What is wrong with considering only the past 5,000 years?only the past 5,000 years?

According to Christian, how is According to Christian, how is “human population” involved in the “human population” involved in the question of economic development question of economic development over the course of history?over the course of history?