Friday, May 9th, 2014
In the 5th edition of the IB Theory of Knowledge program outline History is defined as:
"the attempt made by professional historians to record and reconstruct the past through the study of evidence derived from a variety of sources... History can never be objective in an absolute sense and the contribution of every historian must contain a subjective element... every generation must rewrite its own history in the light of new evidence and under the influence of its particular attitudes and prejudices. History is also part science, in its approach to evidence, and part art, in recording and communicating its findings."
Why would they call history part science, part art?
History is comprised of evidence and facts collected in a systematic method that seeks to find the greatest level of accuracy and adherence to the "true" events. History is written as literary work is written. But the content of the historical work is more of a science, because it has been compiled with precision and accuracy. The historians try to seek for objectivity, yet the interpretation makes it more similar to art. History, as art, tries to persuade its audience into understanding and identifying with the perspective that they are trying to initiate and incorporate. Historians are scientists who purposely include their colours in order to make their works more poignant. They strive to find the truth, as opposed to the truths that science aims to uncover.
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