Module overview
The history of exploration takes us to the further reaches of human endeavour and beyond. From the wide expanses of the ocean to the frozen depths of the polar regions and even outer space, humans have always been fascinated by the prospect of exploring the unknown. The motives behind much of the exploration undertaken in the past were varied and complex: the prospect of individual power and wealth, the opportunity to spread religion, or the drive to develop colonies. In some cases, we can detect other impulses at work: national or personal prestige, or the apparently disinterested advancement of scientific knowledge. Whatever its motivations, exploration is an inherently human activity. The act of exploration in the past was – partially at least – a function of the people conducting it and the societies in which they lived. It reflects their hopes, fears, predilections and prejudices, and we will consider this in our discussions. We will also think about how we might approach this history today and deal with the multiple legacies it has bequeathed to our world.