Why does history matter? (week 1) Flashcards
What are the three ways of thinking about history in business?
Three ways of thinking about history are: 1) History as a study of past events, 2) History as a process of change over time, and 3) History as a process of constructing narrative accounts.
How is history as a study of past events traditionally viewed?
History as a study of past events sees the past as something objective. Historians aim for accuracy and faithfulness to reality, like Leopold von Ranke.
What does history as change over time focus on?
History as change over time looks at what changed and why, delving into theories of historical development or debunking universal theories, as with Friedrich List and Karl Marx.
What characterizes history as a creative act?
History as a creative act, as proposed by Hayden White, recognizes multiple ways to describe the past. Historians create narrative constructs grounded in evidence but with room for different interpretations.
How can history be practically useful in the context of past events?
Knowledge of past events can serve as a collective memory bank, help us understand the origin of assumed permanence, reveal the familiarity of supposedly new things, and inspire alternative visions of the future.
What are the benefits of viewing history as a means to critique theories?
History can critique timeless or universal theories and lead to more nuanced theories that consider the factor of time.
How does history serve as a check on theory?
Historians can test theories by applying them in the past, helping determine if they hold up under historical scrutiny, thus informing their applicability to the future.
What is history-as-narrative, and how can it be valuable for businesses?
History-as-narrative focuses on creating meaningful and authentic stories about the past. For firms, it can serve as a valuable strategic resource, a marketing tool, and a means of communicating purpose and strategy
How does history-as-narrative help firms?
Firms can use history-as-narrative to emphasize their historical origins, inspire staff, market themselves, and communicate their strategy and purpose effectively.
What types of historical perspectives exist and how do they differ?
There are two types of historical perspectives: the “longue durée” provides a long-term view to assess continuities and change, while the “worm’s eye view” understands the past from the perspective of those who lived it, challenging and strengthening each other.
