An Eyewitness Historian: The Presentism and Historical Thought of Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.

• Main Authors: Chou, Yen-Ping, 周晏平
• Other Authors: Chou, Liang-Kai
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2018
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/65xy6c

碩士 === 國立臺灣師範大學 === 歷史學系 === 106 === This paper investigates how the American historian Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr., whose works focus on contemporary history, has been considered not just a “professional historian” but also an “eyewitness historian”, an identity suggested in his own essays. In addition to expanding on his vocation, this paper also attempts to analyze the dialectical relationship between his presentism and historical thinking, further underscoring the core values on which Schlesinger Jr. based his academic research. That said, this paper is by no means a comprehensive account of the life of Schlesinger Jr. but aims to examine his major works in a historical context. Living in the 20th century, when “the present” became “the past” faster than ever, how did Schlesinger Jr. interpret the truth in the past? In other words, as a historian, how did he employ solid historical craftsmanship and unique perspective to make contributions in academia without forsaking his political obligations? The answers lead to the argument that Schlesinger Jr. has always been more of a “historian as participant” than a mere professional historian. Some researchers go so far as to see Schlesinger Jr. as a professional historian with political motivations, a politician or even a statesman, whose research results are non-historical, partial yet closer to historical truth.