Dr. Christopher Perrin's presentation highlighted the profound importance of studying history as there is significant wisdom to be gained from learning from the past. Questions such as: Why has the study of history diminished and what forms of folly is our ignorance leading us into? How can history be taught to impart virtue and as a meaningful and engaging story or narrative? How can we revive the study of history in order to acquire prudence or practical wisdom to examine lessons from the past and extract what speaks to us today?

The cultivation of wisdom the hallmark of optimal human development benefits nations, societies and individuals and provides the experience, knowledge and judgment required for living a good life. Thinking historically provides insights into our evolving behaviour in matters of life, using the lessons of the past to make decisions for the present and plan for the future with a deeper understanding.

Dr. Perrin discussed the notion of prudence with a renewed interest in the mode of reasoning. Prudence is one of the great virtues of antiquity and one that is little thought about today. Dr. Perrin discussed the cardinal virtues: prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance, and explained how the term cardinal derives from the Latin cardo, meaning “hinge.” Consequently, these four virtues are called “cardinal” because all other virtues are categorised under them and hinge upon them. Prudence the mother of all virtues is essential for the formation of one’s conscience however to be prudent one must know the principles of truth, goodness and beauty.

To be able to examine a situation prudently consideration of the 3 aspects of prudence: memoria, docilitas, and solertia, must be sought. To consider memoria you must have a memory of real situations and events as they exist now and in the past. Everyone must learn from their past experiences in order to avoid repeating the same mistakes. Docilitas means that a person must have docility, an open-mindedness, which makes the person receptive to the advice given by people who are more experienced. The exercise of prudence involves solertia, which means having sound judgment and discernment however this requires lessons and reflections on situations from the past.

To highlight the importance of the past Dr. Perrin used the symbolism of the cardinal and theological virtues as depicted in the fresco by Raphael. On this fresco, Prudence looks at her reflection in a mirror, with a bearded visage of an old man placed on the back of a graceful woman’s head. These two profiles represent the ability to see the past and to observe the present and future, respectively.

It was insightful to hear that history is so closely tied to identity and serves as the foundation of a positive sense of self as well as shaping national identities. We cannot respond appropriately to our times unless we understand how the past events have shaped and informed the cultural battles in our current times.

To get a good perspective on life we need to have the best of what has been written in the past as in the Great Books which speak so eloquently to the human spirit. We should be studying historical epochs that have had universal impact and through studying these we will be able to see how prudence determines the correct action in all situations.

"The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution" by Carl R. Trueman, has been recommended as reading. This reading tells a complex cultural history that challenges us to recognise how we might be blind to the impact of the culture on our own thinking.

History is vital to a nation’s survival as the memory of others in the past shape our present understanding of events. We are all living histories with common sense of purpose and direction in life. Understanding the connections from the past helps us with understanding the human condition and our place in history. Understanding history prevents nations marching down the path of folly as “those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”