How do you evaluate historical arguments?

A fair amount of recorded history in many, though not all, parts of the world has been through the lens of white men, leaving a lot of hidden stories out there. When learning and evaluating history, it's often helpful to not just take things at face value, but to see how it might connect to any other larger cultural themes. Once you start learning the hidden histories of given places and times, the real context can begin to surface!

Authors may have conscious or unconscious biases. It is important to recognize these biases and take them into account when evaluating arguments. Comparing information with other independent sources can help confirm or refute the arguments presented.

A thesis is often framed as a “solution” to a problem in the prevailing historiography (i.e., literature review). So to locate the thesis, simply identify first the problem that a historical work is trying to resolve.

It is essential to check the reliability of the sources used. Primary sources (period documents, direct testimonies) are generally more reliable than secondary sources (analyses, interpretations).

I’ve found that using a master list of logical fallacies (which can easily be obtained online or from almost any facially member in the Philosophy & Ethics program) is good way to evaluate your own historical reasoning and arguments, as well as those of other historians. The list can be used to identify easy logical counter arguments to your works, thus preemptively nullifying many rebuttals. You can also use the list to identify logical fallacies in others’ arguments, and then organize them into a cohesive and multi-pronged counter argument. I recommend taking a college course focused on rhetoric, and participating in your regional ethics bowl, as both will help sharpen your skills in quickly identifying and countering logical fallacies.

Arguments should be logical and coherent. Contradictions or inconsistencies may indicate weaknesses in the argument or misunderstandings by its author.

Understanding the context in which events occurred is crucial. This includes the social, political, economic and cultural conditions of the time.

Comparative views of history is one of the most important yet underrated areas of scholarly and educational research. I always make a point of at least skimming every history textbook I come across (at second hand stores, used book sales, etc.) if it is written in another country or from a worldview that I'm not familiar with. I don't always agree with what the books say of course. But I always learn something that I didn't know. If you're serious about knowing what happened in the past, a spirit like that is essential. After all, if you lived 200 years from now, you couldn't rely only on Fox News or only on The Huffington Post or only on one local or ethnic newspaper to really understand life in 2024. The balance is essential!

Historical events can be interpreted in different ways. It is important to consider multiple perspectives to get a more complete picture.