W. Civilization Unit I
What Is History? Class Notes
1. Definition & Elements:
• The past is useless. That explains why it is the past. Wright Morris • Only a good-for-nothing is not interested in his past. Sigmund Freud A. Greek = historia… to know; learned; to inquire B. Dictionary = branch of knowledge that records and explains significant events of the past. C. Elements 1. Facts • Who, what when, where information (the w’s) • Vital info. for accuracy BUT meaningless by themselves. • “nuts & bolts” of history--- the hardware Faithfulness to the truth of history involves far more than a research, however patient and scrupulous, into special facts. Such facts may be detailed with the most minute exactness, and yet the narrative, taken as a whole may be unmeaning or untrue. Francis Parkman 2. Interpretation • The why…Why important? Why this way? Why not something else? • Interpretation gives the facts their meaning. • The blueprint ---the design • The historian (like an architect) puts the hardware together in a meaningful way. Readers (of history)should be very attentive and critical of historians, and in turn should be constantly on their guard. Polybius.
2. Pitfalls to Be Aware of When Studying History:
A. Selection/Omission of Facts 1. who gets to choose which facts are significant and which are not? 2. on which basis is this decision made? What is the criteria? 3. are the unrecorded facts (of which there are countless more) perhaps more important than the ones which have been preserved? The historian must seek to imbue himself with the life and spirit of the time. He must study events in their bearings near and remote; in the character, habits, and manners of those who took part in them. He must himself be, as it were, a sharer or a spectator of the action he describes. Francis Parkman B. Historian’s Bias 1. all events are refracted through the eye of the historian ( distortion = just like through a mirror) • Everyone sees things differently depending on their bias. • Does the historian have a “hidden agenda”; something to gain/lose by having us believe his viewpoint? To each eye, perhaps, the outlines of a great civilization present a different picture. In the wide ocean upon which we venture, the possible ways and directions are many; and the same studies which have served for my work might easily, in other hands, not only receive a wholly different treatment and application, but lead to essentially different conclusions. Jacob Burckhardt C. Bias of Time (Hindsight distortion) 1. The historian is writing about one time period while living in another one…tendency to impose the values of our time on earlier cultures/peoples 2. different times have different beliefs/values so must always keep this in mind to judge fairly Each age tries to form its own conception of the past. Each age writes the past anew with reference to the conditions uppermost in its own time. Frederick Jackson Turner
3. Why is the Study of History Important, Then?
1. Binds us together as a people • Common experience Common culture • Builds pride (national; racial; cultural; humankind) • Keeps a diverse people together, allows us to communicate with one another from a common background. 2. Provides us with role models (both positive & negative) 3. Teaches us valuable reasoning skills • Think critically (question; search for meaning; evaluate Arguments to make better decisions) • Research skills 4. Lights the future • Similar causes tend to produce similar effects; thus it would seem to be a valuable undertaking to try to learn from the past ( “History repeats itself”) • The study of history defines the past, illuminates the present, and anticipates the future. The study of history is the best medicine for a sick mind; for in history you have a record of the infinite variety of human experience plainly set out for all to see; and in that record you can find in yourself and your country both examples and warnings; fine things to take as models, base things rotten through and through, to avoid. Livy History is the witness that testifies to the passing of time; it illuminates reality, vitalizes memory, provides guidance in daily life, and brings us tidings of antiquity. Cicero