D E V A C R A N A

THE AUTHENTICITY OF SOURCES

Heuristic, or the finding of sources, the initial step in the mechanical processes of the historian, is followed by criticism (???????,judgment), which is appraisement of the nature and evidential value of the source material found. This is a complex process involving, at least
in theory, six distinct inquiries or problems, for each and every source put to account.

a. When was the source, written or unwritten, produced (date)?

b. Where was it produced (localization)?

c. By whom was it produced (authorship)?

d. From what pre-existing material was it produced (analysis)?

e. In what original form was it produced (integrity)?

f. What is the evidential value of its contents (credibility)?

In practice this last query will resolve itself into an attempt to fix the degree of certainty or probability (falsity or doubt) to be attached to the several statements which the source contains.

These six distinct inquiries exhaust the whole process of historical criticism, which may be defined as the use or application of a body of rules and principles for testing the genuineness of historical sources, restoring them as far as possible to their original form, and determining their evidential value.

By a convention first introduced by Bernbeim, the steps a to e are known collectively as external criticism, while step f designates internal criticism. Moreover, a to d are generally grouped together as constituting higher criticism, the term lower or textual criticism being

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THE ANALYSIS OF SOURCES

The dissection of historical writings with a view to ascertain the sources of information from which they were compiled, is a conventional method of inquiry in scientific history. The process must be conducted with meticulous care. For credibility of a narrative, as conditioned by the sources on which it draws, is not necessarily a constant; it may fluctuate according to the credibility of the individual sources.

(a) Thucydides distinguishes three categories of facts recorded in his history: those he knew by personal experience; those he knew at second hand, if one may say so; and at third hand, from the written tradition of his day. To the last category belongs the survey of Greek history with which he introduces his narrative; the reliability of this survey must be assessed according to the usual criteria for testing tradition. On the other hand, the
vivid account of the retreat from Syracuse has all the weight of personal firsthand testimony. The sources for Livy and Tacitus are minutely discussed in critical editions of these authors, or in the special monographic literature bearing on them. The discussion naturally runs into questions of credibility

(b) An elaborate critical analysis of sources is involved in discussion of the Synoptic Problem, which is concerned with the relations of dependence between the three gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Study of the problem resolves itself into an attempt to ascertain, as far as may be, the sources of information on which the evangelists severally drew. www.questia.com