How Best Should We Study History?

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses some disciplines and methods of historical research in an attempt to find which functions best. The writer defines empiricism and post-modernism, two seemingly opposed methods using objective and subjective reasoning, respectively, and discusses their problems. Whatever method is used, the writer, also a historian, feels a true historian must have a healthy respect for all historical disciplines, as well as an understanding of their various benefits and limitations. The writer also stresses that the narrative form is an important tool for understanding a historical era, as long as anachronism is avoided. This paper contains MLA-style footnotes but does not include a works cited page.

From the Paper:

"An additional problem historians face is the question of narrative. The problem here is narrative history's predisposition toward imposing a biased perspective on historical events. Again, to the victors go the spoils or, less implicitly, history is written always with a purpose in mind. Should we pursue history according to the statistical methods imposed on quantitative history, a method that seeks to avoid personal bias by the raw, naked interpretation of data? This is hardly possible. As Cronon demonstrates, even if it were possible to impartially chronicle every historical event, that chronicle must necessarily carry with it a sense of narrative tone and structure in order to be relatable."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Anna Green and Kathleen Troup. The Houses of History: A critical reader in twentieth-century history and theory. New York: New York University Press, 1999. p. 3.
• William Cronon. "A Place for Stories: Nature, History, and Narrative" The Journal of American History Vol. 78, No. 4 (Mar., 1992), p. 1351.

More papers on How Best Should We Study History?:

• Book Review # 139614 : "How Now Shall We Live?" - A Book Review"
• Article Review # 107304 : "Should We Learn to Love Recessions?"
• Essay # 47146 : "How to Present the Study of Ancient History"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: