[Superaprova] História - Papel da História e o ofício do historiador histórico - Aula 1

Summary

In this lecture, the importance of history and the historian's role is explored, focusing on the study of human actions over time. Key historical theories are discussed, such as Edmund Burke's warning about the dangers of ignoring history, the 19th-century shift towards history as a science, and the evolution from biographical history to analyzing ordinary people's lives. The lecture also highlights the rise of Marxism, the Annales School, and the growing focus on marginalized groups in the 21st century. Finally, it challenges the idea of historian neutrality, emphasizing the subjective nature of historical study.

Takeaways

• 😀 History studies human action over time, not just the past.
• 😀 Edmund Burke emphasized that a people unaware of their history are doomed to repeat it.
• 😀 Herodotus, known as the 'father of history,' was the first historian and lived in 5th century Greece.
• 😀 Early history focused on the biographies of great men, like kings and generals.
• 😀 The 19th century marked the beginning of history being considered a science, particularly in Germany.
• 😀 Positivism in the 19th century argued that history could be studied as an exact science, seeking absolute truth.
• 😀 Positivist historians believed in the neutrality of historians, who should abandon personal viewpoints to find truth.
• 😀 Marxism introduced the idea of class struggle and economic determinism, seeing economy as central to historical events.
• 😀 The Annales School of France in the early 20th century promoted the study of daily life and everyday people.
• 😀 The study of history today includes perspectives of marginalized groups like LGBTQ+ communities and women, who were once overlooked.
• 😀 The idea of a neutral historian has been debunked in the 20th century, showing that historians’ perspectives are inherently involved in their studies.

Q & A

What is the main objective of the study of history according to the script?

The main objective of the study of history is to understand human action over time, not just the past.

What does Edmund Burke's quote about history imply?

Edmund Burke's quote suggests that a people who do not know their history are doomed to repeat it, highlighting the importance of learning from historical events to avoid making the same mistakes.

Who is considered the 'father of history' and why?

Herodotus, a Greek historian from the 5th century, is considered the 'father of history' for his pioneering efforts in documenting historical events.

What role did biography play in history up until the 18th century?

Until the 18th century, history primarily focused on biographies, aiming to highlight the achievements of notable figures such as kings, generals, and conquerors.

When did history begin to be seen as a science, and where did this change take place?

History began to be considered a science in the 19th century, particularly in Germany, where it gained scientific status through the development of formal study methods.

What is positivism, and how did it affect the study of history?

Positivism, a philosophy that emerged in the 19th century, promoted the idea that history could be studied as an exact science, aiming to find absolute truth through objective facts and neutrality.

How did the Marxist theory influence the study of history?

Marxism, introduced by Karl Marx, focused on the concept of class struggle and emphasized the importance of economic factors in shaping historical events and societal changes.

What did the Annales School contribute to the study of history?

The Annales School, emerging in early 20th-century France, introduced a focus on everyday life, studying the experiences of ordinary people through various aspects like food, clothing, and music.

What is the significance of studying marginalized groups in history?

In the 21st century, there is an increasing emphasis on studying historically marginalized groups, such as women, the LGBTQ+ community, and the poor, to gain a more comprehensive understanding of history.

How has the concept of neutrality in history changed over time?

The idea that historians can be neutral has been debunked over the 20th century, with modern scholars recognizing that it is impossible to study history without some degree of bias or perspective.