What can we learn from history?

1
What can we learn from history?

• That we dont learn from history.

2
Why is this a science fiction classic?

• Humanity can survive the worst catastrophe,
  rebuild, and endlessly repeat the same mistakes
• It asks questions of its reader that are not easy
  or comfortable to think about
• What is the dark side of technology?
• That there is no guarantee that knowledge will be
  well used, even if preserved by good men

3
Part IIs there hope for humanity?

• Yes, when the first book ends, the monks are
  dedicated to preserving knowledge in the hopes
  that it will someday benefit someone
• They faced constant danger in doing so. Why?
• Tension between those who would preserve
  knowledge and those who would destroy it

4
Part I Societal Structure

• Nomadic existence for society in Texarcana
• New Rome (somewhere in the western US)
• The Monastery is in the middle of the desert
• The Popes Children, bands of genetically
  disfigured humans, roam the desert

5
Part II Hope Turns to Triumph

• Tension between those who preserve knowledge and
  those who would use it
• In the end, the abbey is recognized as the true
  source of ancient knowledge
• The scientist, Thon Taddeo, gains knowledge from
  this source
• But it is a pyrrhic victory

6
Part II Societal Structure

• Mayor Hannigan of Texarcana tries to unite all of
  N. America
• No moral consideration for various factions
• Only the desire to play one power off of another

7
Part III Increased Tensions

• The monks have remained consistent throughout the
  work as a kind of moral compass
• But the invention of nuclear weapons causes mass
  destruction
• Will the new colony near Alpha Centuri repeat the
  mistakes again?

8
Part III Societal Structure

• The history of superpowers repeats itself
• US faces off against another world superpower
• Devastation occurs

9
What did the scientist say to the monk?

• How can a great and wise civilization have
  destroyed itself so completely?
• Perhaps says the monk, by being materially
  great and materially wise and nothing else.

10
But is there another hope?

• Yes, if you look closely at the books message
• There are people in the book who do not simply
  restrict themselves to the search for money and
  power
• If you put things in proper perspective, then all
  will be well

11
The End

• Who is Rachel?
• Why does she resist baptism?
• We dont know if she represents human salvation

12
Summary

• What has not changed in the future?
• There is still racism, poverty, illness, etc.
• What is the price of civilization?
• War is one of the consequences