GE 2_ GROUP 5 Content.pdf

GE 2_Readings in Philippine History Intro 1. What is history? (EH Carr) Edward Hallet Carr argued that history is not just a straightforward account of past events but rather a constructed discourse about those events. He believed that history is shaped by the perspectives and interpret...

GE 2_Readings in Philippine History Intro 1. What is history? (EH Carr) Edward Hallet Carr argued that history is not just a straightforward account of past events but rather a constructed discourse about those events. He believed that history is shaped by the perspectives and interpretations of historians rather than simply reflecting what actually happened. Carr pointed out that history is not discovered like a physical object but is created through the choices historians make in selecting and interpreting evidence. This idea has often been misunderstood in the field of history, as many people still think of it as a direct mirror of the past rather than a narrative influenced by human perspective and interpretation. What is history? book review: E. H. Carr, a critical appraisal. (2004, October 1). https://archives.history.ac.uk/history-in-focus/Whatishistory/munslow4.html#:~:text=Carr%20ar gued%20that%20history%20is,much%20misunderstood%20by%20the%20profession 2. What are historical facts? A historical fact is a fact about the past. It answers the very basic question, "What happened?" Yet beyond merely listing the events in chronological order, historians try to discover why events happened, what circumstances contributed to their cause, what subsequent effects they had, and how they were interpreted (Schultz, 2003). Yet historical accounts are subject to frequent disagreement. Much disagreement is due to the fact that accurate history is difficult to obtain, for a variety of reasons. Much information regarding the past has been lost. Many cultures have a rich oral history, but lack written documents (Schultz, 2003). Schultz, N. (2003, June). Historical facts. Beyond Intactability. https://www.beyondintractability.org/essay/historical-facts#:~:text=A%20historical%20fact%20i s%20a,and%20how%20they%20were%20interpreted  3. Conceptual framework: General overview of the Limitations, Problems and Challenges Of history Problems: Incomplete Records Bias Conflicting Accounts Challenges: Interpreting Evidence Changing Perspectives Cultural Differences Limitations: Lost Context Oral History Issues Selective Recording 4. Introduction of the 5 chosen historians Jacob Burckhardt [KAYE AND JANIKA] ○ Little background Full name: Jacob Christopher Burckhardt born May 25, 1818, Basel, Switzerland—died August 8, 1897, Basel Burckhardt initially studied theology but later abandoned it, instead pursuing his interests in Greek, art, and cultural history. Taught history and art history @ the University of Basel and the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich His views were often at odds with the prevailing German nationalism of his time, and he was considered a cultural conservative who romanticized the past. Source used: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jacob-Burckhardt ○ Their relevance and roles in history Pioneered the field of cultural history. His holistic approach on historical analysis.  Emphasis on Individualism: Revealed that the Renaissance marked a crucial transition from the medieval world to the modern age, reshaping cultural and intellectual history. ○ Views of history Rejected the traditional idea that history was solely about political events and economic conditions. Described history as a vibrant mix of cultural transformations, personal stories, and societal shifts. Focused on daily life and cultural aspects—such as art, literature, architecture, social interactions—as primary sources for historical study. - Considered art as a reflection of society where we could gain insights into the values, beliefs, and struggles of a particular era. Sources used: https://study.com/academy/lesson/jacob-burckhardts-impact-on-cultural-history.ht ml#:~:text=Burckhardt's%20vision%20of%20history%20was,dictated%20by%20 those%20in%20power. https://youtu.be/iCLJP1MEvc0?si=9Kp--Clyi_bi5gL6 Robin George Collinwood [SHEKKA AND ANDREI] ○ Little background british philosopher, historian and a practicing archaeologist Described as one of the british idealists but his kind of idealism is conceptual rather than metaphysical Born : February 22, 1889 - Cartmel Fell, united kingdom Died : January 9, 1943 - Coniston, United Kingdom Notable ideas: Historical imagination Coining the english term historicism Aesthetic expressivism Main interest: Metaphysics Philosophy of history Aesthetics Books he published; Considered to be the most important treatises in meta-philosophy written in the first half of the twentieth century:  An Essay on Philosophical Method (1933) An Essay on Metaphysics (1940) ○ Their relevance and roles in history/views of history Along with Benedetto Croce, Collingwood was anxious to expose what they believed to be recurrent and fundamental misconceptions regarding the method and subject matter of history. Argued that History is more than a Science and that it should be released from “its state of pupilage to natural science” Developed an account of historical understanding according to which historians explain events by exhibiting them as the expressions of past thinking on the part of self-conscious purposive agents. Historians must imaginatively reconstruct or re-enact in his own mind rather than by showing the events to be instances of general uniformities or regularities that are established by induction. ○ Views in History Actions vs. Events: History is about understanding people's actions and intentions, while science looks at events and patterns. Collingwood thought we needed different approaches to study each. Different Presuppositions: History and science start from different ideas. History needs to consider the specific context and norms of the time being studied, while science uses general rules and laws. Different Explanations for Different Questions: There are different ways to explain things depending on the question. History and science have their own methods because they answer different kinds of questions. Critique of Science Methods in History: Collingwood didn’t agree with using scientific methods to study history. He thought history requires understanding the ideas and beliefs of the past, not just applying modern scientific standards. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/collingwood/ https://www.britannica.com/topic/philosophy-of-history/Analytical-proble ms Aldous Huxley [MAURICE AND AURESE] ○ Little background English writer and philosopher July 26, 1894 — November 22, 1963 (69 years old) Ideas:  Dystopian and utopian versions of society Dangers of totalitarianism and control Dehumanising effects of technology ○ “People will come to love their oppression, to adore the technologies that undo their capacities to think.” Interests: Mysticism Psychedelics and altered state of consciousness Science and technology Books published: After Many a Summer Dies the Swan, Antic Hay, Brave New World, Crome Yellow, Eyeless in Gaza, Point Counter Point, The Devils of Loudun, The Doors of Perception, and Those Barren Leaves ○ Their relevance and roles in history Main contributions: Literature, philosophy, cultural critique Discussions in totalitarianism, technology, spirituality, human freedom “The more a man knows about himself in relation to every kind of experience, the greater his chance of suddenly, one fine morning, realizing who in fact he is.” Assessment of (modern) society and consumerism (via “Brave New World”) Emphasized critical thinking, creativity, and personal growth in education (for a progressive and individualized approach) ○ Views of history Skeptical of technological and political development, repetition of human failures, and his wish to witness humans stop being self-destructive through self-awareness and spiritual growth. Geoffrey Barraclough [HANNAH AND ARJIE] ○ Little background Significant Posts: President of the Historical Association, Professor of Medieval History, University of Liverpool Stevenson Research Professor of International History Royal Institute of International Affairs Additional Information: Geoffrey Barraclough (1908–1984) was a British historian best known for his studies of medieval history, particularly the Holy Roman Empire, and his innovative ideas about historical methodology. He promoted the study of contemporary history, encouraging historians to look at long-term global patterns and trends rather than focusing solely on isolated events. Their relevance and roles in history Geoffrey Barraclough contributed to Comparative history, German history, global history, medieval and contemporary history. Contrasting views and contributions to historical theory, which provide a deeper understanding and evaluating the nature of history. ○ Views of History “The history we read, though based on facts, is, strictly speaking, not factual at all, but a series of accepted judgments.” Professor Barraclough believed that history is not purely based on facts because it focuses on what is factual to the historians and what is accepted as factual or truth in their time. Facts in medieval history are preselected for us to believe and a mass of people to believe; thus, we considered history as factual because we believe and considered it as a fact. https://archives.history.ac.uk/makinghistory/historians/barraclough_geoffrey.html Arnold J. Toynbee [JJ AND RICHMOND] ○ Little background - A historian and philosopher, born on April 14, 1889 in London, England. He died October 22, 1975 in York, North Yorkshire. - Studied at Balliol College, Oxford, and at the British School at Athens. - Worked for the intelligence department of the British Foreign Office. - Served as a delegate to the Paris Peace conference. - Was a professor at the University of London and at the London School of Economics. - Director of studies at the Royal Institute of International Affairs in London. ○ Their relevance and roles in history - Was a historian who sought to understand the patterns of civilization.  - Study of Civilizations: Best known for his book A Study of History, which has 12 Volumes, covering 26 world civilizations. He focused on the cyclical nature of civilizations: How they rise, face challenges, and decline if leaders fail to adapt. ○ views of history Toynbee presented history as the rise and fall of civilizations.(Arnold J. Toynbee - New World Encyclopedia, n.d.) Arnold J. Toynbee believed that history is best understood by looking at civilizations that rise, grow, and eventually decline(Loevy, n.d.) Toynbee saw history as cyclical rather than linear. Civilizations experience similar patterns of rise, challenge, decline, and renewal, regardless of their geographic location or time period. (Loevy, n.d.) 5. References and citations Archives History.Geoffrey Barraclough. Retrieved from (https://archives.history.ac.uk/makinghistory/historians/barraclough_geoffrey.html) Bietenholz, P. G. (2024, August 4). Jacob Burckhardt | Swiss historian & art historian. Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jacob-Burckhardt) Encyclopedia Britannica. Analytical Problems in History. Retrieved from (https://www.britannica.com/topic/philosophy-of-history/Analytical-problems) Carr, E. H. (2001, October).What is history? Book Review: E. H. Carr, A Critical Appraisal. Retrieved from (https://archives.history.ac.uk/history-in-focus/Whatishistory/munslow4.html#:~:text= Carr%20argued%20that%20history%20is,much%20misunderstood%20by%20the%2 0profession) Loevy, R. (n.d.). ARNOLD J. TOYNBEE AND THE CYCLE OF CIVILIZATIONS [Colorado College]. Retrieved from (https://faculty1.coloradocollege.edu/~bloevy/ArnoldJToynbee/Toynbee-CycleOfCiviliza tions.pdf ) Schultz, N. (2003, June). Historical Facts. Beyond Intractability. Retrieved from (https://www.beyondintractability.org/essay/historical-facts#:~:text=A%20historical% 20fact%20is%20a,and%20how%20they%20were%20interpreted) Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Philosophy of History. Retrieved from (https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/collingwood/) The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (1998, July 20). Arnold Toynbee | Biography, theory, Books, a study of History, & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Arnold-J-Toynbee) VIS PHILO. (2023, November 14). Jacob Burckhardt: Unraveling Cultural History | Philosopher Biography [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCLJP1MEvc0) Canva Links: - https://www.canva.com/p/templates/EAFkE8BqdqI-beige-and-white-vintage-history -lesson-education-presentation/ - https://www.canva.com/p/templates/EAF3XGY9Kns-beige-and-brown-organic-vint age-group-project-presentation/ - https://www.canva.com/p/templates/EAFdQ2wvmuA-blue-and-brown-collage-textu red-literature-historical-fiction-presentation/