Historical Knowledge and Objectivity of History in view of Maqrizi

Document Type : Research Paper

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Abstract

The Question concerning the possibility of historical knowledge has been one of the major concerns of critical philosophers of history in the past and present time. This question being directly related to the objectivity of history demands the presentation of history regardless of any personal view and value; therefore, it could be set in the position of science. Consequently, the importance of this issue along with the investigation of historical works of Muslim historians to study the concept of objectivity of history and possibility of historical knowledge has been attempted by the author. The framework of this research includes the concepts such as the possibility of historical knowledge as well as the objectivity of history and the issues like intervention of values and selection in history. The author of the article is to investigate the view of Taqi al-Din Maqrizi (845 A.D) concerning the stated concepts. The research clarified that in view of Maqrizi, the historical knowledge would be attainable and the way of accomplishment is not limited to material and concrete means. On the other hand, Maqrizi’s findings reveal that the objectivity void of valuing would be impossible but at the same time the effect of values for the alteration or making it in line with accepted presumption of historians should not be ignored.

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