Why do we remember? Some questions to historical science

Authors

  • Harald Welzer Kulturwissenschaftliches Institut, Essen

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25365/oezg-2005-16-1-2

Abstract

Based on results of neurobiological and psychological research the paper gives some suggestions on what memory, history, and truth are. Episodic and autobiographic memory systems are human-specific and enabled human phylogeny to move out of the slow evolutionary process establishing a co-evolutionary sphere. Evolutionary developmental pace is accelerated by social means as communication, symbolisation and tradition. The co-evolutionary developmental environment of humans is history. History normally deals with questions of historical truth, provided by diverse sources and methodological standards. But truth is a function of social agreement and is necessarily connected with emotional value. How can historical science deal with these fundamental non-objective qualities of truth epistemologically and theoretically?

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Published

2005-01-01

How to Cite

Welzer, H. (2005). Why do we remember? Some questions to historical science. Austrian Journal of Historical Studies, 16(1), 12–35. https://doi.org/10.25365/oezg-2005-16-1-2