History involves interpretation of records from the past, existing as artifacts, written accounts, and memories.
It is the events of the past, a continuous, systematic narrative of past events, or the study/record of past events.
History is considered together, particularly events of a period, country, or subject, usually written as a chronological account.
History includes an explanation of their causes (Merriam Webster Dictionary)
Etymology and Significance
The term history originates from the Ancient Greek word "historia," meaning inquiry.
Herodotus, known as the "Father of History," used "Histories."
Thucydides, the "Father of Scientific History," wrote "History of the Peloponnesian War."
Age of Classics "historia" means inquiry, investigation, research of past events, writing of history, historical narrative, recorded knowledge of the past events, account, description
Issues in Historical Study
A key issue is whether people without written documents can be considered to have no history.
Positivism suggests that without sensory experience verification, an idea cannot be considered real. Therefore, no document equates to no history.
Limitations of Historical Knowledge
Historical knowledge is limited by the incompleteness of records because most human affairs occur without leaving traces.
Oral traditions (myths, epics, songs), artifacts, architectures, and memories fill in gaps.
History is becoming more inclusive, collaborating with auxiliary disciplines like archaeology, languages, and science.
Reliability of Eyewitness Testimony
Eyewitness testimony can be unreliable, posing significant problems in criminal justice and civil litigation.
Reconstructive Memory: information can be deleted or added every time we remember an event.
Historiography
Historiography is the "history of history," promoting a deeper understanding of historical facts and the historian’s context.
It involves critical and analytical thinking and evidence to search for the truth through a closer examination of matters.
Kasaysayan
"Kasaysayan" (history in Filipino) is SALAYSAY + SAYSAY
Kasaysayan is a narrative (written, visual, oral, or a combination) about past events with meaning to a group in a given time and place.
Framing Philippine History
Philippine history can be framed into pre-colonial, Spanish, American, Japanese, and contemporary periods.
Goal of Historian
The goal of a historian is to reconstruct the total past of mankind.
R.G. Collingwood Quote
“Knowing yourself means knowing what you can do; and since nobody knows what he can do until he tries, the only clue to what man can do is what man has done.”
Historical Sources
Primary Sources
Primary sources are eyewitness accounts dating back to the actual time when the event took place.