 Other skeptical arguments point to the difficulty of inferring broad historical laws from available evidence.  In pursuit of a universal history, most theorists refuse to create a priori accounts and instead rely on empirical inferences.  It is possible to attack the grounds on which theorists infer trends from past and present social phenomena.  For instance, it is a mistake to equate temporal and spatial distance.  Theorists sometimes use contemporary reports of America or Africa to draw conclusions about an earlier time in Europe. Or, they take what they know about their own history and make assumptions about “primitive” societies based on that information.  Finally, even if one accurately captures a trend, it is difficult to extrapolate into the future.  If we view humans as free, as long as institutional arrangements leave room for choice, the future is not entirely predictable. 