History
History
History
Is defined as all things that have ever happened (includes all physical events and occurrences)
It would also seem that it is synonymous to the definition of the past
Williams points out that past is not history. To him some events in the past were not observed or recorded therefore,
history is only a subset of the past.
Approaches to the study of history:
Idealism is the belief that history can be described in terms of ideas.
Historicism its premise is that “the autonomy of the past must be respected”(Tosh 6).
Relativism is the belief that there is no absolute truth and that all views of history are valid.
“Social memory” is one thing that historians have to deal with. Tosh describes social memory as “being based on
consensus”
It is obviously impossible to have a replay for most historical events. Thus, those events are left open to
interpretation.
Supposition does not equal evidence, and evidence is not equivalent to proof. History is not a pure science.
"history is part science and part art”.
Primary source is an original item such as an image, document, map, artifact or recording that provides evidence about
the past.
Secondary source is a means through which a primary source is presented.
Some sources are:
Genetic testing, when applicable, is an excellent method of obtaining proof of identity.
The Internet is also a source but they are prone to error.
Thomas Hobbes wrote in 1651, “The register of knowledge of fact is called history”.
Another issue facing historians is understanding
causation. Complex events may have multiple causes.
An analytical approach is needed to accurately present historical events. For an argument to be valid, it should be based
on sound evidence.
An important contribution of the positivists of the 19th century was that they valued the critical examination of
evidence, and they sought to classify and organize as a scientist would.
Cliometrics is quantitavely expressing history through statistics and mathematics.
Manipulation and censorship is a problematic way of revealing history in that full truth either can’t or won’t be revealed.
Other Methods of presenting history:
-print media -filming
Manipulation and Censorship is a problematic way for revealing history in that full truth either can't or won't be
revealed.
Data Manipulation
-It is the way of manipulators for their special interest.
Narative - used by historians to connect sequences of events with descriptive sentences. It is also a better way of
understanding the past.
Revisions and Alteration - an important method to improve accuracy as new evidence is acquired.
Another Method of presenting data:
-Printing Media
-Film
History is brought together by historians of many different specialties and interest. Our worl history also would include
many different types of histories on a singular topic.
Historian Hayden White stated that the only valid reason for choosing one interpretation of history "over another are
moral or aesthetic ones." (Williams 29)
But we have the ability of today's moral filter through which to see the past. The honest depictions based on the higher
sense of morality that we now have, we can make honest assessments of events in the past.
Sigfried Kraucer stated that "historian is both passive and active, a recorder and a creator" (Williams 41)
Present is needed to acquire information, verify sources, piece the narrative together chronologically and present it in a
way that the past is accurately depicted and comes alive as history.
History
Both knowledge of the past and the practice of researching and making sense of what happened in the past that
is crucially important to the welfare of individuals, communities, and the future of our nation.
C. History Differentiated
1. History vs. Past
Past it involves everything that ever happened since the dawn of time in every thought and actions of man and
woman on earth, every leaf that fell and every chemical changed in the universe and others.
History is a process of interpreting evidence or records from the past in a thoughtful and informed way.
2. History vs. Prehistory
History is the record of significant events that happened in the past.
Prehistory is the period of the human activity prior to the inventions of writing systems.
3. History vs. The Other Disciplines
No discipline is an island the ways that we study, write and teach history have changed dramatically,
often because of influence from the other disciplines.
4. History, Historicity and Historiography
History is the narrative account used to examine and analyze past events.
Historicity is the authentication of characters in history, as opposed to legend or myth.
Historiography is the writing of history, and understanding of how the interpretations of historian
change overtime.
5. History vs. Herstory
History is the aggregate of past events.
Herstory emphasizes the role of women, or that is told from a woman's point of view