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The passage below is accompanied by four questions. Based on the passage, choose the best answer for each question.
The Positivists, anxious to stake out their claim for history as a science, contributed the weight of their influence to the cult of facts. First ascertain the facts, said the positivists, then draw your conclusions from them. . . . This is what may [be] called the common-sense view of history. History consists of a corpus of ascertained facts. The facts are available to the historian in documents, inscriptions, and so on . . . [Sir George Clark] contrasted the "hard core of facts" in history with the surrounding pulp of disputable interpretation forgetting perhaps that the pulpy part of the fruit is more rewarding than the hard core. . . . It recalls the favourite dictum of the great liberal journalist C. P. Scott: "Facts are sacred, opinion is free.". . .
What is a historical fact? . . . According to the common-sense view, there are certain basic facts which are the same for all historians and which form, so to speak, the backbone of history—the fact, for example, that the Battle of Hastings was fought in 1066. But this view calls for two observations. In the first place, it is not with facts like these that the historian is primarily concerned. It is no doubt important to know that the great battle was fought in 1066 and not in 1065 or 1067, and that it was fought at Hastings and not at Eastbourne or Brighton. The historian must not get these things wrong. But [to] praise a historian for his accuracy is like praising an architect for using well-seasoned timber or properly mixed concrete in his building. It is a necessary condition of his work, but not his essential function. It is precisely for matters of this kind that the historian is entitled to rely on what have been called the "auxiliary sciences" of history—archaeology, epigraphy, numismatics, chronology, and so forth. . . .
The second observation is that the necessity to establish these basic facts rests not on any quality in the facts themselves, but on an apriori decision of the historian. In spite of C. P. Scott's motto, every journalist knows today that the most effective way to influence opinion is by the selection and arrangement of the appropriate facts. It used to be said that facts speak for themselves. This is, of course, untrue. The facts speak only when the historian calls on them: it is he who decides to which facts to give the floor, and in what order or context. . . . The only reason why we are interested to know that the battle was fought at Hastings in 1066 is that historians regard it as a major historical event. . . . Professor Talcott Parsons once called [science] "a selective system of cognitive orientations to reality." It might perhaps have been put more simply. But history is, among other things, that. The historian is necessarily selective. The belief in a hard core of historical facts existing objectively and independently of the interpretation of the historian is a preposterous fallacy, but one which it is very hard to eradicate.
The Positivists, anxious to stake out their claim for history as a science, contributed the weight of their influence to the cult of facts. First ascertain the facts, said the positivists, then draw your conclusions from them. . . . This is what may [be] called the common-sense view of history. History consists of a corpus of ascertained facts. The facts are available to the historian in documents, inscriptions, and so on . . . [Sir George Clark] contrasted the "hard core of facts" in history with the surrounding pulp of disputable interpretation forgetting perhaps that the pulpy part of the fruit is more rewarding than the hard core. . . . It recalls the favourite dictum of the great liberal journalist C. P. Scott: "Facts are sacred, opinion is free.". . .
What is a historical fact? . . . According to the common-sense view, there are certain basic facts which are the same for all historians and which form, so to speak, the backbone of history—the fact, for example, that the Battle of Hastings was fought in 1066. But this view calls for two observations. In the first place, it is not with facts like these that the historian is primarily concerned. It is no doubt important to know that the great battle was fought in 1066 and not in 1065 or 1067, and that it was fought at Hastings and not at Eastbourne or Brighton. The historian must not get these things wrong. But [to] praise a historian for his accuracy is like praising an architect for using well-seasoned timber or properly mixed concrete in his building. It is a necessary condition of his work, but not his essential function. It is precisely for matters of this kind that the historian is entitled to rely on what have been called the "auxiliary sciences" of history—archaeology, epigraphy, numismatics, chronology, and so forth. . . .
The second observation is that the necessity to establish these basic facts rests not on any quality in the facts themselves, but on an apriori decision of the historian. In spite of C. P. Scott's motto, every journalist knows today that the most effective way to influence opinion is by the selection and arrangement of the appropriate facts. It used to be said that facts speak for themselves. This is, of course, untrue. The facts speak only when the historian calls on them: it is he who decides to which facts to give the floor, and in what order or context. . . . The only reason why we are interested to know that the battle was fought at Hastings in 1066 is that historians regard it as a major historical event. . . . Professor Talcott Parsons once called [science] "a selective system of cognitive orientations to reality." It might perhaps have been put more simply. But history is, among other things, that. The historian is necessarily selective. The belief in a hard core of historical facts existing objectively and independently of the interpretation of the historian is a preposterous fallacy, but one which it is very hard to eradicate.
Question: 1
All of the following, if true, can weaken the passage’s claim that facts do not speak for themselves, EXCEPT:
All of the following, if true, can weaken the passage’s claim that facts do not speak for themselves, EXCEPT:
Updated On: Sep 17, 2024
- the truth value of a fact is independent of the historian who expresses it.
- facts, like truth, can be relative: what is fact for person X may not be so for person Y.
- a fact, by its very nature, is objective and universal, irrespective of the context in which it is placed.
- the order in which a series of facts is presented does not have any bearing on the production of meaning.
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
The correct option is (B): facts, like truth, can be relative: what is fact for person X may not be so for person Y.
Since it supports the passage's viewpoint that fact representation is arbitrary and subject to the impact of other viewpoints. Option B supports the argument made in the passage—that historians are essential in the selection and interpretation of facts—by pointing out that truth and facts are subject to judgment.
If facts are relative, then one person's interpretation of a fact might not be the same as another's. The idea that the historian's interpretation and point of view greatly influence what is deemed a fact is supported by the relativity of facts.
Consequently, if Option B is accurate, it supports the passage's assertion that facts are not totally objective and independent of the historian's viewpoint, rather than undermining it.
Since it supports the passage's viewpoint that fact representation is arbitrary and subject to the impact of other viewpoints. Option B supports the argument made in the passage—that historians are essential in the selection and interpretation of facts—by pointing out that truth and facts are subject to judgment.
If facts are relative, then one person's interpretation of a fact might not be the same as another's. The idea that the historian's interpretation and point of view greatly influence what is deemed a fact is supported by the relativity of facts.
Consequently, if Option B is accurate, it supports the passage's assertion that facts are not totally objective and independent of the historian's viewpoint, rather than undermining it.
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Question: 2
All of the following describe the “common-sense view” of history, EXCEPT:
All of the following describe the “common-sense view” of history, EXCEPT:
Updated On: Sep 17, 2024
- history can be objective like the sciences if it is derived from historical facts.
- only the positivist methods can lead to credible historical knowledge.
- real history can be found in ancient engravings and archival documents.
- history is like science: a selective system of cognitive orientations to reality.
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The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
It highlights the idea that history is made up of a collection of verified facts that may be discovered in engravings and records.
Option D, on the other hand, frames history as a selective system of psychological approaches to reality and proposes that it is similar to science. This portrayal contradicts the common-sense perspective, which is more interested in verifiable historical facts and factual truth than in portraying history as a selected system like science. Thus, the proper option is D.
Option D, on the other hand, frames history as a selective system of psychological approaches to reality and proposes that it is similar to science. This portrayal contradicts the common-sense perspective, which is more interested in verifiable historical facts and factual truth than in portraying history as a selected system like science. Thus, the proper option is D.
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Question: 3
If the author of the passage were to write a book on the Battle of Hastings along the lines of his/her own reasoning, the focus of the historical account would be on:
If the author of the passage were to write a book on the Battle of Hastings along the lines of his/her own reasoning, the focus of the historical account would be on:
Updated On: Sep 17, 2024
- producing a detailed timeline of the various events that led to the Battle.
- providing a nuanced interpretation by relying on the auxiliary sciences.
- exploring the socio-political and economic factors that led to the Battle.
- deriving historical facts from the relevant documents and inscriptions.
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
The passage implies that though collecting basic information is important, historians' primary duty extends beyond this. It highlights how selective and interpretive historical writing is, with historians encouraged to go farther into understanding the context and driving forces of historical events.
Option A: The author argues that the historian's primary role exceeds merely establishing the most fundamental chronological facts, regardless of the importance of timelines.
Option B: The author emphasizes the historian's selective and creative role in portraying historical events, while acknowledging the importance of auxiliary sciences. It also indicates that the historian's focus should expand beyond relying simply on these sciences for fundamental facts.
Option C aligns with the goal of offering a nuanced narrative by delving into the socio-political and economic aspects that preceded the Battle of Hastings. This choice reflects a more thorough and comprehensive approach to historical writing by prioritizing an awareness of the root causes and factors that shaped the historical event.
Option D: While appreciating the value of fundamental facts, the author believes that historians must do more than just gather information.
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Question: 4
According to this passage, which one of the following statements best describes the significance of archaeology for historians?
According to this passage, which one of the following statements best describes the significance of archaeology for historians?
Updated On: Sep 17, 2024
- Archaeology helps historians to ascertain factual accuracy.
- Archaeology helps historians to carry out their primary duty.
- Archaeology helps historians to interpret historical facts.
- Archaeology helps historians to locate the oldest civilisations in history.
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
According to the passage, historians may depend on fields like archeology, among others, to find fundamental facts. The part that is pertinent is this one:
"But [to] praise a historian for his accuracy is like praising an architect for using well-seasoned timber or properly mixed concrete in his building. It is a necessary condition of his work, but not his essential function. It is precisely for matters of this kind that the historian is entitled to rely on what have been called the 'auxiliary sciences' of history—archaeology, epigraphy, numismatics, chronology, and so forth."
Historians can utilize the "auxiliary sciences" to verify the accuracy of fundamental facts. This list includes archaeology, which suggests that by supplying evidence in the form of artifacts, material remains, and other archaeological findings, archaeology aids historians in determining factual correctness.
As a result, Option A accurately depicts how archaeology aids historians in their quest for factual accuracy.
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