Readings in Philippine History - Introduction to History

A set of flashcards covering the definition, nature, and relevance of history, as well as terminology like historiography and the evolution of historical sources.

What is the etymology and original meaning of the word 'History'?

History comes from the Greek word 'historia' which means 'knowledge acquired through inquiry or investigation.'

For approximately how many years has history existed as a discipline?

History has existed as a discipline for around 2,400 years.

In its early development, what did 'historia' become known as?

It became known as the account of the past of a person or group of person through written documents and historical evidences.

What was the 'mantra' of traditional historians regarding historical records?

The mantra of traditional historians was 'no document, no history.'

Why is restricting historical evidence exclusively to written documents considered problematic?

It invalidates the history of civilizations that do not keep written records and discriminates against social classes who were not recorded on paper.

How does linguistics contribute to the study of history?

It studies language changes to trace historical developments, cultural influences, and relationships among different groups.

How do genetics and DNA analysis help historians?

They examine genetic patterns to understand human origins, migrations, and connections among populations.

What is the definition of 'Historiography'?

Historiography is 'the history of history,' meaning learning not only what happened in the past but also how and why historians wrote about it the way they did.

What was the aim of history in helping students understand their environment?

It aimed at helping students to understand the existing social, political, religious and economic conditions of the people.

How did Jacob Burckhardt define history?

'History is the record of what one age finds worthy of note in another.'

What is Henry Johnson's broad definition of history?

'History in its broadest sense, is everything that ever happened.'

According to Vincent Arthur Smith, what determines the value and interest of history?

The value and interest depends largely on the degree in which the present is illuminated by the past.

How did Jawaharlal Nehru describe history?

'History is the story of man's struggle through the ages against Nature and the elements; against wild beasts and the jungle and some of his own kind who have tried to keep him down and to exploit him for their own benefit.'

According to the lecture, what are the two necessary requisites of history?

Continuity and coherence are the necessary requisites of history.

List the five reasons why history is relevant.

1. History helps us understand people and societies. 2. History contributes to moral understanding. 3. History provides identity. 4. Studying history is essential for good citizenship. 5. History is useful in the world of work.