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In the essay "Primary Sources in History: Breaking Through the Myths," Keith Barton notes, “Ultimately, we cannot depend on any single source – primary or secondary – for reliable knowledge; we have to consult multiple sources in our quest to develop historical understanding.” Barton then proceeds to identify seven common beliefs (myths, Barton terms them) associated with primary sources. What do you think? Has Barton made a viable case for his myth argument, and how; or why not?
Keith Barton makes a highly viable and compelling case for challenging the common beliefs, or "myths," surrounding primary sources. His central argument is that primary sources, while essential, are not inherently objective, transparent, or superior to secondary sources and must be analyzed critically alongside other evidence to construct a reliable historical understanding.
His argument effectively debunks the following seven myths:
Barton makes a viable case by focusing on the inherent limitations of context, perspective, and interpretation that affect all historical documents, regardless of whether they are primary or secondary.
Barton rightly points out that primary sources are created by individuals who existed within a specific time, culture, and social position. They are inherently products of a particular perspective and are never purely objective windows into the past.
Viability: This is demonstrably true. A journal entry by a victorious general, for example, is just as subjective as a modern historian's analysis; it simply reflects a different set of biases (personal, political, or social) at the moment of creation.
This myth suggests that a primary source offers an unmediated experience of the past. Barton argues that the source is simply a representation or trace of an event, filtered through the author's memory, purpose, and chosen medium.
Viability: The case is strong because reading a diary entry from 1860 is not the same as being a person in 1860. The document mediates the experience, leaving out countless details and emotions the author chose not to record.
Barton contends that the meaning of a primary source is not self-evident. It requires a deep understanding of the historical context and the author's language, conventions, and cultural assumptions, which are often foreign to the modern reader.
Viability: This is a crucial point. For example, understanding a 17th-century legal document requires specialized knowledge of historical jurisprudence and vocabulary to avoid modern misinterpretation. The source is "silent" until a historian asks the right contextual questions.
This is Barton's most critical point. He argues that secondary sources often synthesize and contextualize multiple primary sources, offering a broader, more comprehensive view that no single primary source can achieve.
Viability: The goal of history is understanding, not accumulation. A well-researched secondary source (a synthesis of dozens of records) is arguably more reliable and complete than a single, isolated primary source. Relying solely on primary sources without critical historical context can lead to oversimplification or error.
Barton stresses that no single source can provide reliable knowledge on its own. It is the interrogation of multiple, varied sources (the process of corroboration and contextualization) that generates a strong historical conclusion.