Wolf In Personalities And Problems example essay topic

His. 151 April 24, 2001 Personalities and Problems Ken Wolf, a professor of history at Murray Sate University and author of Personalities and Problems, wrote with the intent to illustrate the varied richness of human history over the past five centuries. He took various personalities such as adventurers, princes, political leaders, and writers and categorized them in a way for readers to draw lines between them to create a clearer view of world history for himself. Beginning each new chapter with a specific question about worldly concerns and disciplines allowed the readers to relate the topics to broader, more general scenarios of their cultures.

Answering the questions in essay form gave examples of how certain cultures / parts of the world dealt with those issues. The answers that pertained to the questions informed readers about many historical figures without drawing a time line for the course of history and simply reiterating information as in a textbook. Wolf's layout of the book created an interesting, clear, and informative study of world civilizations. Chapter twelve, about Erasmus and Luther, exemplified the interesting, clear, and informative way in which Wolf created his work.

Although there are many other examples in Wolf's book as to how these aspects ring true to his purpose, I chose chapter two as only one reason. The question stated "To what extent is it possible to reform an institution from within? What intellectual and personal qualities cause some people to be more radical than others, and what are the implications of such differences in history (p. 113)". After reading the essay, one might say that a person could go as far as possible to make something like reforms happen; but people may stand in his / her way. However, if that person is willing to lose or gain anything, such as excommunication from his / her Church or an increase of enemies, then he / she will extend to the distance needed.

The essay answer also informed the reader of more general information, not solely facts on Erasmus and Luther. Readers learned that intellect and intelligence are not all that bring historical greatness. Personal qualities such as dominance, determination, perseverance, morality and empathy all play a role in making a difference in history. Some of these qualities can make the situation more radical than expected. Although Erasmus and Luther landed on the same page, Erasmus laid low and neglected to take risky chance, where as Luther never hesitated to step up to a challenge and try his hardest. The church thought they had a solution to their problem with Luther by excommunicating him; however, he fought a tough battle.

Implications show that he never gave up or threw in the hat. Nevertheless, if Luther did give up, there would have never been a Protestant reform at that time and maybe we would be struggling and fighting Luther's battle today. Aside from that example, Wolf added a plethora of admirable characters to his work. Not only did Luther set an example for readers that fighting for what one thinks is right is not easy, so did Elizabeth I. Readers may admire Elizabeth for trying to find a common ground by keeping a Protestant title, by allowing the practice of other religions. Wolf states she proceeded to do this "using her cunning, energy, and intelligence to control friends and enemies alike (p. 145)".

Other admirable people included the great philosophers with the likes of Confucius and Plato. Both Confucius and Plato believed that in order to have a "perfect" or "good "society, the ruler needed superior virtue and wisdom. Both of these philosophers set the guidelines for future philosophers and can be considered of the "great teachers" throughout history. Wolf also follows through with his purpose to explain the richness of human history.

By interconnecting some of the same people to various essays he helped the readers to draw the lines between the characters and make connections. For one, just learning about these historical figures is important in itself. Here, we learn how our world's civilization developed, which leads us to conclude reasons on why some things happen today. Moreover, it is important to learn why these characters projected themselves out into the world to make these changes or to take these stands. Much of it comes from personality, which drives certain people to strive for what they believe. It is important for one to know that not all-historical greatness comes from intelligence and genius alone.

All persons have a chance at making a difference in the world. It is a person's personality and perseverance that will get he / she to that point. Of all the remarkable characters of human history portrayed by Wolf in Personalities and Problems, I personally would choose to have dinner with Marco Polo, Confucius, Elizabeth I and Hammurabi. Polo is said to be one of the "most famous travelers in the pre-modern history". It is absolutely mind blowing to me that a man would pick up one day and travel for twenty-four years.

I could not even imagine traveling for that long with today's technology, let alone traveling with great risks of illness, pirates and going through mountains and desserts in the thirteenth-century. I would also like to ask him questions such as: What made you decide to travel so far and for so long? All in all, would you say that this was a great experience that others should experience? What were some of the hardest times? Would you do it all over again?

These are just some of the many questions that I would ask among many others. I also would like to tell him how fascinating his travels were and that he has opened the doors for many other travelers to come. Some of the same reasons go for my attending a dinner with Elizabeth I. While reading the essay on Elizabeth I, questions were running through my head such as: Did she want to find neutral grounds for religions because she was too scared of enemies? If not did she feel as a woman leader, who did at most times have a lot of control, she could handle it? Does she feel that her well-defined education and her ability to communicate in many different languages help her most to succeed or was it her cunning and energy that helped her the most? I would also just like to commend her on all of her great achievements and let her know she was and still is an inspiration for all.

My next dinner with Confucius would be interesting considering his mind set and that he his considered to be one of the greatest philosophers in history. I personally agree with many of his beliefs, especially the emphasis on values and virtues. It amazes me how his book, the Analects, "in the entire history of the world has exerted, over a longer period of time, a greater influence on a large number of people than this slim little volume (p. 26)". Lastly, Hammurabi, a famous lawgiver, would fascinate me. Hammurabi was a strict ruler who's Code emphasized retaliation, "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth". I wonder if his approach to lawgiver and ruler was the best for his society at the time.

I would like to engage in conversation about his thoughts on his code and if he believed that it was proven to work. I also would like to ask him, why did he base his code on a class system? Did you feel that you opened the doors for women by allowing them to live with another man under certain circumstances? I would also let him know that even though I do not agree with his Code, he set guidelines for future lawmakers. Many other characters are important to me; however, these four struck me as very interesting. Questions and reasons for wanting to spend time with them are infinite.

The most important question of all for each historical figure in the book Personalities and Problems would be "what drove them to actually pursue those problems and create such phenomenal solutions, especially when solving the problem would be so difficult?".