On the legitimacy of historical science and its knowledge in the recent theory of history

Abstract

In this paper, we will try to present the basic concepts of “historical truth” and the construction of history, according to the views of recent historiography, referring, in the first part, to the works of foreign theoreticians and philosophers of history, in order to present the views of prominent representatives of domestic historiography in the second. There is a tendency in the modern age for everyone to believe in that “truth”, even the historical one, which is the most believable for him, according to subjective criteria. So that both historians and the historical audience themselves choose the scientific direction, the historical “school” and the methodology that will guide them through research, that is, the historiographical literature that they will read and accept its conclusions. Also, it has long been accepted by most historians that historical texts have multiple meanings and multiple possible interpretations, and that historical science, which is a realistic category for many historians, should provide a multitude of possibilities, not final answers. The belief that everyone has the right to their own view of the past is also accepted, and that is why the “I” appears in many historians’ works, in the form of a first-person presentation. The author of this text believes that a historical science that does not doubt its scientificity is needed, as well as that the number of historical interpretations is not unlimited. Regardless of everything, there are established criteria of scientific criticism in historiography and historical interpretations are not arbitrary, but depend on historical source. The historical discipline also needs to constantly develop its methodology, construct and test its theories.