DEVAÇRANA

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....

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...