Correntes Historiográficas

Summary

This video explores various historiographical schools of thought, such as Positivism, Historical Materialism, New History, and Social Representations. It delves into how each framework shapes the study and writing of history, from Positivism's focus on great men and written records to Historical Materialism's emphasis on the material conditions of societies. The New History shifts attention to the smaller, often overlooked aspects of history, like the everyday lives of people. The video encourages a holistic approach to historical study, blending these perspectives for a deeper understanding of historical events.

Takeaways

• 😀 Positivism is a historiographical approach that emphasizes the role of great men and significant events in history, viewing written sources as the primary means of understanding the past.
• 😀 The phrase 'Order and Progress' on the Brazilian flag reflects positivist thought, showcasing its influence in various aspects of Brazilian culture, even extending into religion.
• 😀 Historical Materialism, rooted in Marxist theory, argues that the economic base (how societies produce material goods) drives the development of social structures like politics, religion, and law.
• 😀 Historical Materialism follows a deterministic view, suggesting that history inevitably progresses towards communism, a stage without class struggle or the state.
• 😀 The New History, emerging in the 1970s, shifts focus from grand events and figures to small details of history, emphasizing social practices, material culture, and everyday life.
• 😀 In the New History, even the absence of historical sources (such as writings by women) is treated as a valuable source of information about historical realities.
• 😀 Material culture, like artifacts and even human waste (coprolites), can serve as important historical sources to understand migration patterns and other aspects of ancient life.
• 😀 The concept of 'long duration' in New History looks at enduring mentalities and deep structures in society, rather than short-term events or changes.
• 😀 Social Representations focus on how cultural symbols and collective ideas influence history and shape human behavior, as seen in the interpretation of symbols like the apple in the Adam and Eve story or the swastika.
• 😀 Representations, whether true or not, have a profound impact on the actions of people, as cultural constructs drive behavior and societal change.
• 😀 The various historiographical currents—Positivism, Historical Materialism, New History, and Social Representations—each offer unique lenses to understand history, and they often intersect in practice.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Positivism in historiography?

Positivism in historiography focuses on the idea that history is best understood through written records, especially those produced by great individuals and significant events. It believes that the human past progresses through distinct stages, such as mythical, metaphysical, and eventually positive, where science governs human development.

How did Positivism influence Brazilian history?

In Brazil, Positivism significantly influenced national symbols and figures. For example, the phrase 'Order and Progress' on the Brazilian flag reflects a positivist motto. Historical figures like Pedro Álvares Cabral and Tiradentes were also constructed by positivist thought as major contributors to Brazilian history.

What is the core idea of Historical Materialism?

Historical Materialism, derived from Marxism, asserts that the material conditions of society, particularly the modes of production, are the primary drivers of all other societal structures. Changes in the economy lead to transformations in politics, culture, religion, and more, with the ultimate goal of achieving a classless society in the form of communism.

How does Historical Materialism view history?

Historical Materialism views history as deterministic, meaning that societal changes are driven by material conditions, particularly the mode of production. It predicts that human history will eventually reach an endpoint in communism, where the state and class struggles will dissolve.

What role does the concept of 'long duration' play in New History?

In New History, the concept of 'long duration' refers to enduring mentalities and worldviews that shape societies over long periods, rather than focusing on short-term events or individual actions. The New History aims to explore the deeper, lasting cultural and social structures that persist through time.

What is the key idea behind the 'New History' movement?

The New History movement, which emerged in the 1970s, emphasizes the study of history through small, often overlooked details, such as the lives of ordinary people and cultural symbols. It challenges traditional historiography that focuses solely on major events and grand historical narratives.

What does the term 'Social Representations' refer to in the context of historiography?

Social Representations refer to the cultural symbols and beliefs that influence individuals and societies. They shape how people understand the world and act upon it. In historiography, this concept examines how cultural symbols, like the apple in the story of Adam and Eve or the swastika, impact historical actions and perceptions.

Why does New History consider even the absence of historical sources as significant?

New History views the absence of certain historical sources, such as the lack of written works by women in ancient Athens, as significant because it reveals underlying social dynamics. These absences highlight aspects of history that were marginalized or ignored, such as gender roles in intellectual production.

What is the primary difference between Positivism and Historical Materialism in historiographical approaches?

Positivism focuses on large historical events and influential figures, interpreting history through the lens of written records. Historical Materialism, on the other hand, emphasizes the material conditions of society, particularly economic structures, and views history as a process determined by changes in the mode of production.

How do Social Representations influence historical actions and societal behaviors?

Social Representations shape how individuals and groups perceive the world and, consequently, how they act. These culturally constructed symbols, such as religious or political imagery, drive actions and societal behaviors. For example, the symbolic representation of the apple in the Adam and Eve story influences Christian beliefs and practices.