How important is it to get the “absolute facts” in history?

Question

goldphenoix · Answer

What do you mean?

goldphenoix · Answer

It is important in general to get the "absolute facts" in history. But what's important is the understanding of what happened, and around when it happened.

anonymous · Answer

I would argue there is no such thing as a historical fact, only accounts of history. The statement: President John F. Kennedy was "assassinated," may be true to many of us. However we only have accounts and explanations of an assassination. Historical research lends into several theories into each historical event. 

Is it a fact that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated? I would argue no. There are so many theories to his death, and there are so many theories and accounts so different historical events we can only have historical analysis. 

When engaging in historical research it is difficult to prove whether or not primary sources have a bias or a hidden intention. It might not have wrong intentions, but we simply do not know that. There will constantly be differences from what you believe history is and what I believe history is.