What Is History For? Changing Aims, Purposes and Roles of History

What this note covers

1. Aims, purposes and role: three levels of the question
2. Ancient and medieval purposes: memory, utility and morality
3. Modern purposes: truth, nation, emancipation and understanding
4. Contemporary purposes: identity, citizenship, healing and truth-telling
5. Changing interpretations of the role of history
6. Evaluating a stated view of history's purpose

6 sections · 10 key terms & formulas · 6 common mistakes