Ojectivity and Subjectivity in History

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The Objective interpretations are those which best meet rational criteria of accuracy, comprehensive-ness, consistency, progressiveness, fruitfulness, and openness. In simpler terms objectivity is ultimate truth it is unbiased and not affected by any outward influences such as the historian’s personal prejudices. Subjectivity however is the collection of the perceptions, experiences, expectations, personal or cultural understanding, and beliefs specific to a person that influence judgement and interpretation. The aim of this discussion is to highlight whether historians can be objective or not. In the first of the essay it will be made clear that historians can objective only to a limited extent as they lean more towards being subjective. Yes objectivity exists but is very limited due to various factors such as personal prejudice, personal motives, among others. On the other hand the essay will argue that historians can be objective due to factors such as fact are facts, truth is discovered not invented. The ultimate goal of this essay to make it clear that historians are objective to a limited extent. The second part of the essay will discuss the relevance of the knowledge of subjectivity and objectivity to an ‘O’ level history teacher to show that it is highly relevant. One of the main reasons why historians cannot be objective is the fact that the historian cannot escape his/her own self, ideas. These are the theories that are fixated within the historian’s mind and being thus they are inescapable and hinder the historian in trying to write objectively. Trachtenberg asserts that a historian cannot escape his or her own preconceived ideas and personal motives to the extent that history could be written in an objective way. This is clear evidence that objectivity in the study of history is limited as the historians themselves have got preconceptions that are

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