Theories of History sabresocials历史理论 sabresocials.pptVIP

Theories of History K.J. Benoy Schools of Thought Historians (and non-historians) seek to make sense of the past. They look for patterns. They seek truths. What they find shapes their conclusions. If they are not intellectually honest, their existing ideas may determine what they seek in the past – and therefore reinforce pre-determined beliefs – not unlike a science student “cooking” his experimental results. Since we all have biases, a good historian must be aware of his own and must avoid a myopic approach and be willing to change positions if the evidence warrants it. Schools of Thought It is possible to see clusters of historical interpretations – these are referred to as schools of thought. Sometimes historical writers fit comfortably into one particular school. Sometimes they straddle two or more. Cyclical This suggests that history repeats itself over time. There is no real progress. Such views were common in the ancient world -- Herodotus and Thucydides suggested this. Ssu-Ma Ch’ien, in China, believed in dynastic cycles. Mesoamerican civilizations believed in this. During the Renaissance Petrarch and Machiavelli recycled the idea. In modern times Toynbee and Spengler have also believed in it. Linear Followers of these theories believe in progress. St. Augustine. Ibn Khaldun Voltaire Karl Marx They believe that the world can made better. Linear II For the Jews there was the notion of God’s forgiveness and belief in the future coming of a messiah would bring redemption. Many argue that Christianity changed Western thinking. Christ had come to redeem mankind. Linear III The ideology of Liberalism assumes the notion of progress and the slang term for liberal, whig, is given to the approach of liberal historians – the Whig View of History. Socialists and Communists similarly believe in the notion of progress. Great Man Followers of the Great Man Theory suggest that individuals, through the power of their character or intellect, determine the course of histo