While there is debate around whether history is an art or science, the document argues it can be considered both. History employs scientific methods like other social sciences in systematically investigating problems, collecting evidence, analyzing data, and deriving generalizations. However, it differs from hard sciences in that its events cannot be repeated experimentally and conclusions may vary by historian. Ultimately, the document concludes history is an intellectual pursuit that provides practical guidance for understanding the present and future, making it both a science for its methods and an art for its focus on human values and literary qualities.

1. HISTORY A SCIENCE OR AN ART
Dr. T. HEMA
Head of the Department
E.M.G. Yadava Women’s College
Women’s College
Madurai 14

2. INTRODUCTION
 There is a controversy amongst the scholars whether
history is a science or an art.
 Traditionally history is considered as an art, for it
attempts a narrative of events and imparts a knowledge of
intellectual utility.
 The historical books of Gibbon, Macculay, Travelyan and
J.N Sarkar are considered as part of literary work.

3.  J.B Bury considered “History is a science no less and no more’.
 Ranke the father of Modern Historian also gave the same view.
 John seeley, R.G. Colling wood and Yarkpowell too declared that
history was nothing but a science.

4. HISTORY IS A SCIENCE
 History employs scientific methods of investigation and
aims at the attainment of truth.
 History as well as science depend upon systematic
methods in the investigation of a problem, collection of
right evidences, analysis of data and arrival of
generalization.

5. SOCIAL SCIENCE
 History is a social science discussing social relations.
 As a science dealing with the condition of mankind living
in social state, discover general laws, which govern these
conditions and bring about such developments like
progress or delay of civilization ,rise and fall of state.

6.  The goal of both history and science is the same,
namely the establishments of truth.
 Like science history begins from the knowledge of
our own ignorance and proceed from the known
to unknown, from the ignorance to knowledge,
from indefinite to definite.

7. HISTORY IS A SCIENCE BUT NOT AN EXACT SCIENCE
 History differs from the exact sciences, both in its
commencement and conclusion.
 Exact sciences starts with assumptions.
 History commences with facts instead of
assumption deals with facts as they come under
his observation.

8.  In science the result of an experiment is the same
for all the scientists
 In History it is not possible for it differs according
to the historian perspective.
 Science is experimental and its results could be
repeated or reproduced.
 History is not experimental and historical events
could not be repeated.

9. IS IT AN ART?
 History concerned with human values and its
replete with material useful of artistic works.
 It is not differ from art subjects like literature or
music.
 Carlyle and Macaulay gave importance to the
literary qualities of history.
 The historical works of Victorian England were
noted for their high literary charm and they were
considered as literary masterpieces.

10. CONCLUSION
 History is an intellectual utility. Understanding of
the problem of the present day , the politicians,
administration and diplomats seek explanation from
the pages of history.
 History cannot predict the future, the future its used
for practical guidance.

11. THANK YOU
https://www.slideshare.net/HemaT12/history-a-science-or-an-
artpptx-256313349