Question 12.
All of the following describe the "common-sense view" of history, EXCEPT:
A
history is like science: a selective system of cognitive orientations to reality.
B
only the positivist methods can lead to credible historical knowledge.
C
history can be objective like the sciences if it is derived from historical facts.
D
real history can be found in ancient engravings and archival documents.
Question Explanation
Text ExplanationVideo Explanation
According to the passage, the "common-sense" view of history is influenced by the positivist view and so it places great weight on facts. In this view, facts are available to the historian in documents, inscriptions, and so on and history can be objective like the sciences if it is derived from historical facts.
The author's view is in contrast to the common-sense view. The author believes history is a 'selective' system of cognitive orientations to reality. Facts only speak as the historian interprets them. Option A is the correct answer choice.
Hence, the answer is 'history is like science: a selective system of cognitive orientations to reality.'
Choice A is the correct answer.
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