History is more subjective than the other sciences because it deals with human values. It is prone to conflicting interpretations, intractable evidence, and imperfect writing, whereas scientific and natural-science fields are objective. In addition, historical evidence may be fragmentary and unreliable, and individual books and articles may clash with each other. Eventually, however, a consensus of knowledge will be established through scholarly research and high-quality textbooks. There are many reasons to avoid a “one size fits all” approach to history.
Historians often focus on the factors that cause historical change. These factors are often the result of the work of historians and can influence the course of events and political systems. Other historians focus on the ‘winds of change’ that can lead to major change, like a major war or revolution. Some people argue that history is not objective and is subjective, and that there are different perspectives on history. A recent example is the concept of cultural continuity.
While some historians focus on the causes of change, others study how these causes or events have affected society. These “winds of change” are largely accidental and are influenced by powerful individuals. For example, a political event may have caused a dramatic change in the way a society lives. These ‘winds’ can influence economic conditions and political situations. Thus, history can be viewed as a continuous conversation about the past.
There are several types of historical scholarship. Some historians focus on the events that produced significant changes in the past. For example, some focus on ‘winds of change’. These are powerful ideas and forces that shape people’s lives. These ‘winds of change’ can be accidental, or they can be fueled by influential people. These can be very effective forces of change, affecting political events and economic conditions. They may even be unintentionally shaped.
Some historians place a greater emphasis on events that were inevitable. For example, a woman who lived during the time of the Roman Empire in the 19th century argued that the year 1000 would bring the end of the world. This is a misconception, and the fact that she did not live during the year 1000 does not make her an expert. She was the first woman to be known to write about China, and is a leading expert in that country.
Some historians focus on ‘winds of change’ in history. These are forces and ideas that influence people’s lives, often caused by political or economic conditions. Such factors can be ‘winds of change’. Regardless of the definition, these events and forces shape history. There are some historians who focus on accidents and other factors. While most history is a complex subject, there are some fundamental aspects that are important to understanding the past.