Meaning of history (what is it, concept and definition)

What is History:

The meaning of history refers both to the discipline of the social sciences that studies and relates the past events of humanity, as well as to the narrations of the true and fictitious facts and events.

The word history derives from the Latin historĭa , which arose from the Greek ἱστορία (history), and whose meaning indicates research, information.

The term history is quite broad, for this reason it is important to explain what its different uses are, as the case may be, since, in general terms, it will always refer to a past event.

History can also be understood as the memory exercise that allows connections to be made, analysis, as well as to safeguard and transmit the events that precede and originate those that occur in the present.

Another use of the word history has to do with the fact that a person or event leaves a mark, changing paradigms, to be remembered for a long time. For example: "Usain Bolt has made history by being the fastest man in the world."

Also, in the area of ​​medicine, the term “medical history” is easily recognized every time we are attended by a doctor, either for a regular consultation or for a particular symptom.

In these stories, doctors and specialists write the patient's health status and how it has evolved throughout a treatment, in case of having any special condition.

Types of history

As the word history can be widely used in everything that indicates the account of a series of events, true or not, occurred in the past, the narration and description of social and scientific investigations, and even literary accounts, it is necessary to differentiate them and expose each one separately.

History as a study discipline

The primary objective of history, as a discipline, is to provide knowledge about everything that happened in the past in order to understand what is happening in the present and, as far as possible, prevent what will possibly happen in the future.

Hence the importance that individuals and society in general have knowledge of past events, of history, in this way critical analyzes can be formulated that contribute to the understanding of the cultural and historical diversity of the different social groups that exist..

For this reason, in the various studies and analyzes carried out by all those who have specialized in the area of ​​history, such as researchers or teachers, all social, economic, political, cultural, religious events, among others, must be taken into account., that surround the reality of the social group that they study or analyze.

In other words, every present event has a past and, in turn, will generate a consequence for the future, hence the importance of knowing and relating the antecedents of history, either personally, or in our society or country.

History is a tool that allows critical recognition of the diversity and traditions that surround us.

History as a discipline, finally, also opens the doors to direct people to know themselves more as individuals and as part of a social group.

See also the meaning of Culture.

History in the natural sciences

History, as a discipline of study, also refers to both natural science. As natural science, it is that discipline that involves all those investigations related to natural history and prehistory, that is, all those natural events that occurred before the appearance of the human being.

Consequently, theories have been developed that help interpret how humans and societies have evolved through studies such as archeology, geology or paleontology.

See also the meaning of Science.

History as a social science

History as a social science is related to politics, anthropology, sociology, religion and philosophy. These social sciences allow us to study how man has developed through history and the different social theories that have appeared for this purpose.

However, it is difficult to determine that the conclusions reached by these historical analyzes are completely unambiguous, especially since the social sciences are not exact, and because it is an information exposition that depends on a methodological treatment and a criterion that will define each individual or work group.

The various branches of the social sciences start from the prehistory and history of humanity in order to interpret the present. That is, the events of the present are part of the consequences of the past and the future will depend on the history that the present throws.

In this case, for example, history can be exposed or analyzed from a chronological point of view, as universal history or even as economic history.

To conclude, it is important to emphasize that the objective of the story is to analyze and interpret the transformations of societies based on past events.

See also the meanings of Anthropology, Philosophy, Sociology.

Story as narration

History is also understood as any narration, event or adventure, narrated orally or in writing, that relates a fact, either real or fictitious.

However, it should be noted that not all the stories that are told have the same purpose, such as capturing a historical fact. For example, "Grandma Maria's childhood stories are my favorites," "What happened a year ago between us is history."

In this case, history is referred to as that story that can be generated spontaneously for the simple pleasure of exposing a fact, real or imaginary, making use of literary resources and other narrative tools. For example, "I like fantasy stories because they are unreal and imaginary."

See also the meaning of Narration.