The greatness of individuals can be decided only by those who live after them not by their contemporaries

The given notion presents a view that one's greatness should only be judged by those who live after them. Surely people nowadays would be able to study and to give comment on a historical person at a more comprehensive angle as the related history is passed and will not subject to change anymore. However, the offsprings who have not experience the same era as the past person did, and therefore it is hard for them to make a thorough analysis on a past event. Indeed, iin order to decide the level of contributions and achievements of oneself, the evaluations from the people in his/her time should be more decisive than anyone in later time.

Although at first glance it may appear that people in later time could have more excessive time and resources to study a historical incident than the people lived at the time when the event took place, there are still many other factors that altering how the society assess a person. Looking closely to the life of Galileo, a great philosopher in the past century, he was not supported and even was negated by the communities in his time owing to a matter of fact he proposed stances and theories which violated the conventional Catholic beliefs. Unfortunately, his greatness was not recognised nor praised when he was alive, but was well-appreciated when the later academies found the subtle ideas from his advocacies.

Nonetheless, the Galileo's case is not likely to be happened in modern world since we are much more educated and knowlegable than the comtemporaries of Galileo. In the past, people judge thing majorly based on their religious of conventional beliefs, so innovative ideas and creations were not commonly adapted. But since science and technology have revolutionised the whole world, we are not evaluating things based by scientific facts and quantitised proofs. For instance, many art painters who drawn anti-government graffiti were admired in modern days as they are bold to reject the pressure of authority.

Be sure, contemporaries who experience the same situation and issues as one does would have deeper feelings towards one's action. For example, many states leaders carried out political and economic reformations in the last centuries are praised by his citizens during his duty. Those financial and society growths might greatly improve the social lives, such as ensuring food and energy supplies, but might be less significant in today people's view as we are having steady yet adequate resources nowadays.

To conclude, the evaluations from people who live after someone else may be worthy to study about the greatness of someone, the comment from his/her contemporaries should be more dominating as they are the one who experience and understand the contemporaries actions more.