Tag: Albania

When it comes to historical evidence there is no such thing as “credibility.” All evidence must be subjected to doubt and carefully studied.

The Need For, and Lack of, Objectivity

Everybody has biases. But everybody can learn to be objective in studying any subject, whether it be physics or history. The techniques are basically similar.

Objectivity as a scientific method is a practice of “distrust of the self.” You can learn to be objective by training yourself to become aware of, to articulate, and then to question your own preconceived ideas. You must be reflexively suspicious of evidence that tends to confirm your own preconceived ideas, prejudices, and preferences. You must learn to give an especially generous reading to any evidence and arguments that contradict your own preconceived ideas.