To What Extent Are Historic Sources Accurate Given Limitations in Language and Perception

To what extent are historic sources accurate given limitations in language and perception?

1. Hypotheses:

• History is the retelling of the past

• What historic sources are we looking at

• Subjectivity in language and perception

• History is conveyed through language, but its accuracy depends on the reader's perception

• Eg. Author can think its very accurate; reader doesn't find it very accurate → subjectivity

• How sources have changed over the years and compare two historical events pretty far apart

•

2. Do not solve or describe the issue

To what extent do limitations in perception affect knowledge?

Knowledge issues ←→ real life issues

1. Knowledge issues:

- about knowledge

- open question (right/wrong)( to what extent)

- refer to the course

2. Real life issues: ( language, history, perception)

- truth in media

- holocaust denial

- conspiracy theories

• evaluation of sources

• authority → reliability

• page one → documentary on new york times

power of language:

• what goes beyond our control

• cant thin k of anything without