EDWARD HALLET CARRS ARGUMENTS IN WHAT IS HISTORY?

This essay attempts to review Edward Hallet Carr’s (1892-1982) arguments in his book What is History?

According to Carr, history is a continual process of interaction; a dialogue between the historian in the present and the facts of the past and the relative weight of individuals and social elements on both sides of the equation. Advocating the adoption of a suitable philosophy to the approach of writing history, in terms of selecting, distinguishing and interpreting historical fact, Carr elucidates that great history is written when the historian’s view of the past is illuminated by insights into the conditions of the present. In addition to continually asking why, the historian also needs to project into the future.

This essay attempts to understand Carr’s views on objectivity, truth and narrative in the arguments put forth in his book ‘What is History?’ and the assessment of his arguments by other historians.

H.E. Carr’s Arguments on What is History

In his arguments on What is History? Carr sets out the following premise. History is a continual dialogue between the past and the present; an interaction between the historian and his facts. Establishing the criteria for selecting historical fact, Carr argues that fact itself is insufficient and must be correctly and truthfully interpreted. To arrive at a correct interpretation and factual account of history, a