= THE WORLD OF HISTORY =

o Other Sources of History

I. DEFINITION OF HISTORY
- Folklore / Oral Literature
- Oral history
o Traditional Definitions of History
- Interviews
 History is the record of the past.
IV. PROBLEMS AND DIFFICULTIES IN WRITING AND
 History is a record of the human past from the time
STUDY OF HISTORY
written records began to appear.
- Scarcity of written materials, especially in the local
o Modern Definitions of History
level.
- Problems of translation with regards to documents
 History is the reconstruction of the past based on
written in Spanish and other foreign languages.
available written records, oral history, cultural artifacts,
- Biases and prejudices on the part of the foreign writers.
and folk traditions.
- The lack of representative materials for the whole
 History is the study of events and developments
country.
concerning people in the past.
- Lack of trained historians.
o Definition of History
V. MAJOR VIEWS OF PHILOSOPHIES IN THE STUDY
OF HISTORY
History is the interpretative and imaginative study of
surviving records of the past, either written or unwritten, o CYCLICAL VIEW
in order to determine the meaning and scope of human
existence. - History repeats itself
- All human events occur in cycles.
- Its famous exponents were Herodotus and Spengler
II. USES OR IMPORTANCE OF HISTORY - This view was popular from the time of Herodotus (5 th
Century B.C.)
- Bridging the gap between the present and the past.
- Explaining causes of things and events * Herodotus – Father of History
- Projecting the future
- Interpreting conditions of a given space and time. o PROVIDENTIAL VIEW
- Promoting nationalism and patriotism
- History is determined by God. He being the author of
everything. History, therefore, is of God’s grand design.
III. SOURCES OF HISTORY
- No interpretation is needed because everything is
willed by God.
o Written or Inscribed Sources
- Birth and Death certificates o PROGRESSIVE VIEW / LINEAR VEW
- Marriage certificates
- The view regards mankind as responsible for the
- Directories
advancement of civilization. It places complete faith in
- Church records
human intelligence and abilities rather than in divine
- Letter and Diaries
intervention.
- Local Newspapers
- This view holds each new generation should build upon
- Census reports
the achievements of the preceding; the present must be
- Title deeds
better because it has more with which to start.
- School Records
o THE MARXIST or LEFTIST – SOCIALIST VIEW
o Graphic / Visual Materials and Artifacts
- Using analysis, the advocates stress that history is a
- Photographs
science, capable of being controlled, influenced and
- Heirlooms and keepsakes
predicted.
- Arts and crafts
- The view holds each new generation should build upon
- Tools, weapons and utensils
the achievements of the preceding: the present must be
- Old structures and landmarks
better because it has more with which to start.
- Buried artifacts
- Skeletal remains with funerary furniture and
o RELATIVIST VIEW
paraphernalia
- History clarifies and groups together facts about the
past in terms of current needs or contemporary
concerns.
- This view states that one does not have a fixed theory
or fixed position against which historical data could be
measured.

VI. REASONS FOR INTERPRETING PHILIPPINE

HISTORY FROM NATIONALIST FILIPINO POINT OF
VIEW

o Foreign interpretation is biased and prejudiced.

1. The judgement of Philippine history takes into account
the colonial master’s interest and point of view.
2. Filipino culture and historical development are judged
on the basis of the foreigner’s own cultural development
and history.

o Filipinos have grater familiarity with and

understanding of the own culture and history.
1. It can be argued that Filipinos know their history,
culture and identity better than foreign historians do.
2. Filipinos are more familiar with the historical roots of
their problems.

o The Filipino point of view can help promote

nationalism and patriotism.
1. Only a Filipino can truly express his/her love for the
Philippines and would desire for the unity of the people.
2. The Filipino point of view would be more inclined to
highlight the positive traits of the people than the
negative ones, thereby contributing to a certain degree
of national pride.

VII. HISTORY AS A TOOL IN UNDERSTANDING

NATIONAL IDENTITY
1. It helps in tracing the roots of the Filipino people and
the struggle they underwent to attain unity and
independence.
2. It serves as a tool in identifying commonalities in their
culture and experiences.
3. It points out the need for nationalism in nation-
building.