Week 2 (Slides 10-12) Flashcards
Define “presentist” in the context of Environmental History.
Presentist refers to an approach that applies contemporary values and perspectives to interpret past events, often used in Environmental History to address current environmental concerns.
What does “prescriptive” mean in Environmental History?
Prescriptive implies that Environmental History often suggests actions or solutions for current environmental issues based on historical analysis, guiding future behavior or policy.
Why does Environmental History rely heavily on scientific disciplines for its sources?
Environmental History draws from scientific disciplines like ecology, geology, and climatology to analyze historical data about environmental conditions, providing an interdisciplinary foundation for understanding human-environment interactions.
What ethical considerations must Environmental Historians observe?
Environmental Historians must avoid bias, not impose modern morals on the past, and balance objectivity with advocacy for environmental issues.
Which of the following is a key difference between Environmental History and other branches of history?
A) Environmental History often uses presentist and prescriptive approaches.
B) Environmental History avoids scientific sources.
C) Environmental History solely focuses on economic history.
D) Environmental History is identical to other historical disciplines in terms of methodology.
A) Environmental History often uses presentist and prescriptive approaches.
According to John Opie, what challenge does the Environmental Historian face?
A) Balancing objective scientific data with subjective historical analysis.
B) Maintaining disinterested objectivity without ethical advocacy.
C) Integrating ecological ideals with historical reality.
D) All of the above.
D
True or False
Environmental History is purely objective and does not engage in advocacy.
False – Environmental History often involves advocacy, as it may prescribe solutions or highlight ethical concerns related to environmental issues.
Yes or No
Is it appropriate for Environmental Historians to apply contemporary morals to past societies?
No – Environmental Historians should avoid judging past societies by today’s standards, as this can introduce bias and detract from an objective understanding of historical contexts.
Yes or No
Should Environmental History solely rely on scientific data without integrating historical analysis?
No – While scientific data is essential, Environmental History also relies on historical context to interpret how societies interacted with their environments.
Explain why Environmental History can be both “presentist” and “prescriptive.”
Environmental History addresses contemporary environmental concerns by examining historical patterns and suggesting actions to prevent past mistakes. This focus on present-day issues and future guidance makes it both presentist (focused on current relevance) and prescriptive (offering recommendations).
Describe the balance Environmental Historians must maintain between objectivity and advocacy.
Environmental Historians must objectively analyze historical evidence without letting personal bias interfere, yet they often advocate for environmental awareness, informed by historical lessons, to address current issues responsibly.
Match each term with its description:
- Presentist
- Prescriptive
- Ethical Obligation
- Scientific Discipline Sources
A) Environmental Historians’ responsibility to avoid bias and respect historical context.
B) Applying modern concerns to historical analysis, often relevant to current issues.
C) Suggests solutions for today based on historical environmental patterns.
D) Drawing on fields like ecology and geology to inform historical interpretation.
1 - B
2 - C
3 - A
4 - D
