Is abstract knowledge incompatible with literal memorization?

Counterclaim for how can historical knowledge affect cultural beliefs?

• Hi I need a counter claim for "How can historical knowledge affect cultural beliefs?" Heres what I for my question. How can you rebute my question? Historical knowledge involves knowledge that was obtained through an individual’s or a group of people’s experiences in the past that may shape the beliefs of a culture. The knowledge is passed down to knowers of succeeding or future generations and may affect cultural beliefs of future generations through the emotions and sense that are triggered, as well as the significance perceived by the knower(s). From WWII, which, to a certain extent, has created stigmatic beliefs, to Martin Luther King’s speech, which has created beliefs advocating equality, many cultural beliefs are shaped by the shared perceptions, which in turn, shapes the predominant beliefs. Historical knowledge may influence us to formulate preconceived ideas that are included into our beliefs, which tends to undermine objectivity. We merely deduce claims intuitively or logically without obtaining adequate information, and in certain cases, include such claims in our beliefs. In other words, cultural beliefs can be influenced by prejudices formed through attaining historical knowledge, as is the case with many events in history. In Iran, many of its citizens have anti American views because of the pro- American dictatorial oil puppet government under Mohammed Reza Shah that oppressed its citizens during 1941 to 1979. Many Iranians to this day are angered by the injustice the U.S government had imposed, and believe that the U.S is imperialist, corrupt and belligerent. Their beliefs are established based on the emotional impact and the significance of the historical knowledge. Due to the fact that emotions often dictate our thoughts and our actions, the emotional impact the historical knowledge has, may, to an extent, affect cultural beliefs. If the majority of knowers react in a similar manner, they will most likely perceive such knowledge in a similar manner, therefore substantiating their beliefs on a common perception. The anti American beliefs of Iran are based on the historical knowledge that triggers anger and hatred due to the unethical acts U.S had implemented during that period. If the historical knowledge does not have a strong emotional impact, a cultural belief may also be affected by a perceived significance or value in historical knowledge. Such significance or values may be based on a common understanding or meaning interpreted or deduced from the historical knowledge, which may include aspects pertaining to logic, religion and reasoning; all of which may shape their beliefs. They perceive such derived knowledge regarding logic and reasoning as means of enhancing their ways of knowing and as means of preventing fallacies or misinterpretation. “We learn about the past, to shape the future.” In the Iran U.S tensions, the majority of Iranians substantiate their beliefs based on the significance of meaning or logic deduced from such knowledge; that foreign intervention and appeasement could lead to oppression; an aspect that could be logically applied to other events such as WW II.

• Answer:

  Historical knowledge might be a completely false one distorted by heavy propaganda, especially totalitarian propaganda. People might think that they know facts from history, but in fact they are repeating the lies invented for them. For example, in Iran from 1941 to 1979 Mohammed Reza Shah tried hard to pool Iranian people out of the dark ages of Muslim theocracy and to bring them to 20th century. It was a hard task in a country with centuries of theocratic experience, and it required tough measures (just ask Ataturk, who saved Turkey the similar way in 1920s - 1930s). But Shah was persistent and almost succeeded. Iranians were pretty free to live a western lifestyle as long as they did not plot return of the mullahs. That was a s good as it gets in Middle Eastern country. But expelled mullahs with the help of the western left media had created a myth about Shah being a ruthless oppressor. Many Iranians were convinced of that lie enough to welcome mullahs back to their country. Now mullahs are killing them right an left and they forbid them to live a normal lives. Shah's police looks like "doctors Doolittles" comparing to today's revolutionary guards. This is what Iranians got for accepting lies of the Muslim totalitarians for the historical knowledge. Riots after the last elections in Iran show that many started to understand the truth.