Is there a specific objectivity for history? ¿Hay una objetividad específica para la historia?

BELVEDRESI, ROSA E.

Historia da Historiografia

Brazilian Society for History and Theory of Historiography

Lugar: Ouro Preto; Año: 2020 vol. 13 p. 201 - 229

This work focuses on the objectivity of historical knowledge, attending to the specificities of this scientific discipline. For this we will show that the idea of an absolute objectivity is unsustainable and propose a situated objectivity. Such objectivity has to do with the accepted criteria in a given scientific discipline and with its established practices. We will show that objective historical knowledge does not deny the influence of human subjects on its production and justification, but rather tries to attend to the effects that this interference may cause. We will also discuss the condition of human subjects that is characteristic of the objects of historical knowledge. For our analysis, we will distinguish between objectivity that refers to the behavior of the human subject who investigates (the historian) and what refers to the product of knowledge (historical interpretations). Finally, we will point out that objectivity may be subject to criticism and revision in historical debates.