?Is history just a mess of chaos, or a so-called "secondary" chaotic system? History is unexplainable and unpredictable. Chaotic systems are divided into two levels. Level one chaos refers to "not changing due to prediction". For example, weather is a first-level chaotic system. Although weather is also affected by countless factors, we can build computational models and continuously add more and more factors to make weather forecasts more and more accurate. Level two chaos refers to things that “will be affected by predictions and change” and can never be accurately predicted.
?Why should we study history? The purpose of history, unlike other subjects, is not to make accurate predictions or to know the future, but to expand our horizons and understand that the present is neither "natural" nor inevitable. The possibilities for the future are far greater than we imagine. For example, by studying how Europeans came to control Africans, we know that racial discrimination is by no means natural or inevitable, and that the world could very well be a different place.
The author mentioned Cleo, the goddess of history. Here is some popular science: In Greek mythology, there are nine muses, namely Calliope, who is in charge of epics, and Calliope, who is in charge of history. Clio, Erato for love poetry, Euterpe for lyric poetry, Melpomene for tragedy, Polyhemea for hymns. Polyhymnia), Terpsichore for dance, Thalia for comedy, and Urania for astronomy. Their mother was the goddess of memory, Mnemosyne, and their father was the lustful Zeus. Their names themselves are related to the root word "music" in English, which shows the close relationship between talent and music in the ancient Greek concept. They are also often associated with Apollo, the most famous of the ancient Greek gods. Apollo can often be seen sitting among the Muses, playing the piano and singing with great enjoyment. In addition, the Muses have a strong sense of revenge. If a mortal dares to challenge them, his end will be tragic.
In short, no one can give an exact conclusion on how history develops and why it develops in this way, just like no one can accurately judge what a child will look like in the future.