In history, subjectivism refers to the idea that historical understanding and interpretation are fundamentally shaped by the historian's individual perspective, biases, and framework, rather than solely reflecting an external, objective truth about the past.
Understanding Subjectivism in Historical Context
Subjectivism in history is rooted in the broader philosophical doctrine that, as the reference states, "our own mental activity is the only unquestionable fact of our experience," rather than shared or communal facts or an external reality. Applied to the study of the past, this means:
- The historian's consciousness, values, and cultural background play a crucial role in selecting what historical evidence is considered important, how it is interpreted, and how the historical narrative is constructed.
- There is no single, universally accessible "objective" historical truth waiting to be discovered; instead, history is seen as a product of the historian's mind engaging with the available evidence.
Implications of Subjectivism for Historical Study
Adopting a subjectivist view has significant implications for how history is researched, written, and understood:
- Focus on Interpretation: Subjectivism highlights that history is an act of interpretation. Different historians, with different perspectives, can legitimately arrive at different conclusions about the same past event.
- Acknowledging Bias: It necessitates acknowledging that bias is inherent in historical work. The historian's positionality (where they stand in terms of time, culture, and identity) inevitably influences their view of the past.
- Multiple Narratives: Subjectivism supports the idea that there can be multiple valid historical narratives about the same event or period, each offering a different lens or emphasis.
- Emphasis on the Historian: It shifts some focus from the raw events of the past to the process of historical creation by the historian.
Practical Considerations
- Source Selection: A subjectivist historian might prioritize different sources or interpret them differently based on their research question or theoretical framework.
- Narrative Construction: The structure and focus of a historical account can vary widely, reflecting the historian's choices about what aspects to emphasize and how to connect events.
Subjectivism vs. Objectivism in History
While pure subjectivism argues against any external or objective truth, most historical practice operates somewhere on a spectrum between pure subjectivism and objectivism (the belief that historical facts exist independently of the historian and can be known objectively). Historians often strive for a degree of objectivity while acknowledging the unavoidable role of interpretation and perspective.
Comparison:
| Aspect | Subjectivism in History | Objectivism in History |
|---|---|---|
| Core Belief | Truth is based on individual perspective. | Truth exists independently of the historian. |
| Historical Truth | Multiple interpretations, no single truth. | A single, discoverable truth about the past. |
| Historian's Role | Active creator of the narrative/meaning. | Discoverer or reporter of past facts. |
| Focus | Interpretation, perspective, narrative. | Evidence, facts, events as they happened. |
Subjectivism reminds us that history is not merely a collection of facts but a constructed understanding shaped by the human mind.
