What is really going on?
When we ask ourselves this question several avenues of inquiry appear before us. Both of the these "paths" of understanding have their own logic and worldview supporting them. As we see it how we view history and the manner in which events unfold informs our understanding of how events are currently unfolding.
We propose two axis of historical understanding.
1) the two poles of this axis are the CONSPIRACY vs. the ACCIDENTAL/NATURAL theories of history:
Here we observe the conspiracy theory of history claims that history is influenced by groups of individuals acting toward a particular end. The accidental/natural theory of history holds that individuals and natural occurences are dominant in the shaping of history. The former is a fringe perspective while the latter is the dominant perspective. It seems likely that the truth lies somewhere in between these two perspective. While certainly individuals such as Napoleon and Hitler are crucial influences on the course of events, it seems no less plausible to say that elite groups have always been conspiring to shape history according to their perspective, witness: the Vatican, the English House of Lords, The executive board of General Motors.
2) this axis is represented by the FACTUAL vs. the MYTHOLOGICAL versions of history:
Here we make note of the difference between how events have actually transpired and how they are remembered and recorded. Revisionist history is an entire field of enquiry devoted to studying this topic. Because us humans are subjective creatures will always tend to relate events according to our own perspective and limitation. This is easily seen to be the case when the same events is described differently by two or more people. To be sure certain things cannot be denied, such as losing a battle or acknowledging and earthquake, however the explanation of why these things came to be is sure to reflect the cultural and individual bias.
These two axis taken together can be represented as a cross of historical understanding. One pole is bisecting the other at a particular point depending on the historical example in question.
The question then remains: What is really going on?
When applying this query let us apply the historical cross of understanding and navigate a location based on the cross-interface of the coordinates.
We propose two axis of historical understanding.
1) the two poles of this axis are the CONSPIRACY vs. the ACCIDENTAL/NATURAL theories of history:
Here we observe the conspiracy theory of history claims that history is influenced by groups of individuals acting toward a particular end. The accidental/natural theory of history holds that individuals and natural occurences are dominant in the shaping of history. The former is a fringe perspective while the latter is the dominant perspective. It seems likely that the truth lies somewhere in between these two perspective. While certainly individuals such as Napoleon and Hitler are crucial influences on the course of events, it seems no less plausible to say that elite groups have always been conspiring to shape history according to their perspective, witness: the Vatican, the English House of Lords, The executive board of General Motors.
2) this axis is represented by the FACTUAL vs. the MYTHOLOGICAL versions of history:
Here we make note of the difference between how events have actually transpired and how they are remembered and recorded. Revisionist history is an entire field of enquiry devoted to studying this topic. Because us humans are subjective creatures will always tend to relate events according to our own perspective and limitation. This is easily seen to be the case when the same events is described differently by two or more people. To be sure certain things cannot be denied, such as losing a battle or acknowledging and earthquake, however the explanation of why these things came to be is sure to reflect the cultural and individual bias.
These two axis taken together can be represented as a cross of historical understanding. One pole is bisecting the other at a particular point depending on the historical example in question.
The question then remains: What is really going on?
When applying this query let us apply the historical cross of understanding and navigate a location based on the cross-interface of the coordinates.
posted by pjack | 10:23 AM
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