Histor(iograph)y and Memory in`Post-Truth Era`. Towards a European Public Sphere? Some Theoretical Considerations

Abstract

New social media brought not only a "democratization" of communication but, at the same time, a negative transformation of the process of imposing scientific truth in society. The trivialization of knowledge and the erosion of popular trust in the epistemic authority of scientists undoubtedly includes historiography (with the role of providing knowledge based on the systematic analysis of the facts of the past). Post-truth policy, conventionally referred to as "populist", it influences the institutional process of "producing historical truth". Simultaneously with the European Union identity crisis, projects are being carried out to create a transnational European public sphere, by re-conceptualizing European history. The latest project in this direction is House of European History, which proposes a new approach to historical memory for European citizens. The dominant feature of European historiographies is insularity, not only because they are produced in vernacular languages but also by theme, because they are considered to be an essential part of national identity. Thus we identify conflicting perspectives between the description of historical truth and social memory. In the end, are assessed the theoretical conditions to be met in order to achieve a trans-European historical memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]