A cosa serve la Storia? Cos'è la Storia?

Summary

The video script delves into the significance of history, challenging the common notion that it serves merely to avoid past mistakes. It introduces Marc Bloch, a key figure in the French historical school 'École des Annales,' who argues that history is not just a memory of horrors but an analysis of the human experience. Bloch's 'Apology for History' suggests that historians should focus on the 'mentalités'—the collective mindsets and emotions of the past—to understand the present. His work, tragically unfinished due to his execution by the Gestapo, emphasizes the importance of history in shaping our cultural legacy and the potential to transform it.

Takeaways

• 📚 The script discusses the importance of history, challenging the common notion that it's merely to avoid past mistakes.
• 🧐 It critiques the simplistic view of history as a mere memory of past horrors, suggesting a deeper analytical approach is necessary.
• 👨‍🏫 Marc Bloch, a leading figure in the French historical school known as 'l'École des Annales,' is highlighted for his innovative approach to history.
• 📖 Bloch's book 'Apologie pour l'histoire ou métier d'historien' ('The Historian's Craft') is mentioned as a seminal work that redefined the purpose of history.
• ❓ The script ponders the question 'What is history?' and suggests that it's more than just a record of events; it's about understanding human society and mentalities.
• 🌟 Bloch's perspective is that history should encompass all aspects of human life, including emotions, thoughts, and societal structures.
• 🔍 He emphasizes the importance of studying historical mentalities to understand the origins of current societal norms and mindsets.
• 💡 The script argues that history, when combined with disciplines like anthropology and psychology, can provide insights into the evolution of human thought and behavior.
• 📚 It points out that traditional history textbooks often fail to capture the complexity of history as understood by scholars like Bloch.
• 🌱 The script suggests that understanding the historical origins of our current beliefs and practices is crucial for mastering and potentially changing our cultural legacy.

Q & A

What is the common misconception about the purpose of studying history?

The common misconception is that studying history serves to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.

What does Marc Bloch suggest is the true role of a historian?

Marc Bloch suggests that historians should not merely judge but analyze the past to understand what history is and its purpose.

What is the significance of Marc Bloch's book 'Apology for History or the Historian's Craft'?

It is a significant work where Bloch aims to answer the question of what history is and its importance, written during the Second World War.

Why was Marc Bloch unable to complete his book 'Apology for History or the Historian's Craft'?

Marc Bloch was unable to complete the book because he was executed by the Gestapo as part of the French Resistance.

How does Marc Bloch's approach to history differ from traditional historical studies?

Bloch's approach focuses on the human aspects such as societies, mentalities, and emotions, rather than just a list of events and facts.

What does Marc Bloch mean when he compares historians to the ogre from fairy tales?

Bloch uses the comparison to illustrate that historians, like the ogre, are sensitive to the 'flesh' or human aspects of history, extending beyond the traditional boundaries of historical study.

What was Marc Bloch's interest in the study of history?

Bloch was interested in understanding how people in the past thought, their religious beliefs, their conception of time, and the emotions they experienced.

How does Marc Bloch view the concept of 'love' in historical terms?

Marc Bloch considers 'love' as a historical phenomenon, similar to significant events like the Second World War, and worthy of central focus in historiography.

What is the importance of understanding historical mentalities according to Marc Bloch?

Understanding historical mentalities is crucial for comprehending the reality that surrounds us and for recognizing that our current mindsets and ideas have origins and are not static.

How can the study of history help us in the present, as suggested by Marc Bloch?

Studying history can help us understand our cultural legacy, dominate it, and change it, thus providing a tool for mastering and evolving our current societal structures and mentalities.