نوع مقاله : مروری
نویسنده
دانشجو
چکیده
کلیدواژهها
موضوعات
عنوان مقاله [English]
نویسنده [English]
The problem of bias and its relationship with objectivity constitutes one of the fundamental challenges in the epistemology of history. This article, presented as an exposition of the core arguments in "Bias in Historical Description, Interpretation, and Explanation," focuses on the views of C. Behan McCullagh. In opposition to postmodern relativism, it explores the typology of bias and potential methods for its mitigation.
The analysis begins by dissecting four primary manifestations of bias: interpretive error, unfair selection in description, false general explanations, and the omission of underlying causes. It further investigates the roots of individual motivation and cultural hegemonies. Drawing upon Ziva Kunda’s psychological research on motivated reasoning and Marc Bloch’s methodology regarding "trace-like" evidence (témoignage), the paper argues that a commitment to standards of rational inquiry and engagement with incongruent evidence are pivotal to achieving "fair history."
The findings suggest that while cultural biases—due to their subconscious nature—persistently threaten objectivity, transforming historiography into a collective and global project based on heteroglossia (plurality of voices) can pave the way for explanations that remain honest and non-misleading in the face of both common sense and available empirical evidence.
کلیدواژهها [English]
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