History is Interpretation - "Objectivity" in History

Summary

This video explores the interpretive nature of history and the quest for an ideal, yet unattainable, historical truth. It emphasizes the role of historians in shaping our understanding through consensus and the reinterpretation of sources. The script discusses the evolution of historical perspectives, such as the economic view of Nazi Germany, and highlights the importance of narrative in conveying history's moral compass. It concludes by emphasizing historians' dedication to truth and the impact of their work on society.

Takeaways

• 📚 The script discusses the interpretive nature of history and the pursuit of an ideal historical truth that is always evolving.
• 🔍 It emphasizes that historians' reconstructions of the past are never perfect due to practical difficulties and the discovery of new sources that can change interpretations.
• 👥 The consensus among historians can shift as more sources are found and as different perspectives are considered, leading to a reevaluation of past conclusions.
• 📖 The importance of historians' proper source use is highlighted, including assessing the quality of sources and avoiding over-reliance on specific ones.
• 🆕 The appearance of new sources is not the only way history can change; sometimes, new topics or angles that have been neglected are brought to light, leading to a shift in consensus.
• 💼 Adam Tooze, an economic historian, is mentioned as an example of a scholar who seeks to add perspectives to the understanding of Nazi Germany, particularly the role of the economy.
• 🏆 John Lewis Gaddis, a Cold War historian, stresses that no two historians will interpret history in the same way, and there can never be a single standard for objectivity.
• 📈 The script mentions that historians reflect the present in their judgments of the past, and history is constantly being re-evaluated with new metrics, such as the role of women, minorities, and culture.
• 📝 Roderick Stackelberg and Edward Hallett Carr are cited to argue that history is a continuous interaction between the historian and the facts, with a balance between fact and interpretation.
• 🌐 Peter Novick discusses the concept of historical objectivity as a contested idea, with no single definition agreed upon by all.
• 📚 William Cronin asserts the importance of narrative in history, stating that stories told by historians can influence actions and have the power to effect real change.

Q & A

What is the main thesis of the video regarding the writing of history?

The video posits that history is interpretive in nature and that historians strive towards an ideal historical truth, which is a goal but never fully attainable due to practical difficulties in writing history.

How does the consensus among historians form and change?

Consensus forms as more historians write on a subject and agree on the majority opinion. It can change through the discovery of new sources that shed light on events or periods, requiring a reinterpretation of existing sources and potentially altering our view of history.

What is the role of new historical sources in the evolution of historical understanding?

New sources can fundamentally alter our view of history by demanding a reinterpretation of other sources and taking the new information into account, which may lead to a shift in the consensus about past events.

Can historians who operated under previous consensus be considered wrong if new sources change the understanding?

No, they cannot be called liars as they were operating in good faith according to established norms. The discovery of new sources may show that their interpretation was not completely accurate, but it does not imply dishonesty or malintent.

How does the video address the idea of historians being both qualitative and quantitative in their source assessment?

The video suggests that historians should assess their sources qualitatively, considering whether they rely too much on specific sources or if they have discarded certain sources with legitimate reasons.

What impact does the sudden appearance of a new source have on the historical consensus?

The sudden appearance of a new source can lead to a change in the consensus as it may require historians to reinterpret existing sources and possibly revise their understanding of historical events.

What does Adam Tooze aim to contribute to the understanding of Nazi Germany through his work?

Adam Tooze aims to change the perspective of Nazi Germany by adding economic perspectives that he believes are lacking, which have been relatively neglected by historians.

How does John Lewis Gaddis view the objectivity in historical representation?

Gaddis believes that there can be no single standard for objectivity in history, as no two historians will perform the task in the same way, and that historians' judgments reflect the present they inhabit.

What does Roderick Stackelberg emphasize about the relationship between history and interpretation?

Stackelberg emphasizes that history is interpretation and that writing history is inseparable from interpreting it, even in the selection of facts deemed worthy.

What does the video suggest about the role of narratives in understanding history?

The video suggests that narratives are essential to our understanding of history and the human place in nature, as they serve as our chief moral compass and influence our actions.

How does the video describe the process of a historian's interaction with historical facts?

The video describes it as a continuous process of interaction and an unending dialogue between the present and the past, where the historian molds facts to their interpretation and vice versa.

What is the final message of the video regarding historians' pursuit of truth?

The final message is that historians are constantly trying to find the ideal historical truth not just for the sake of doing so, but also in hopes that it will make society better, by providing a deeper, multifaceted understanding of the past.