Historical Presentism Debate

The cluster centers on debates about applying modern moral standards to historical events (presentism), the relevance of historical context to present-day discussions, and whether history supports or contradicts contemporary views.

📉 Falling 0.5x Politics & Society
3,375
Comments
20
Years Active
5
Top Authors
#6717
Topic ID

Activity Over Time

2007
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2009
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2010
68
2011
43
2012
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2013
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2014
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2015
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2016
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2017
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2018
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2019
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2020
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2021
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2022
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2023
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2024
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2025
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2026
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Keywords

US HN WW2 Y2K WW1 history oppression historical happened ancient romans present comment argument commonplace

Sample Comments

digi_owl Jun 18, 2016 View on HN

Err, are we not taking things out of historical context?

LightG Aug 23, 2022 View on HN

Only if you think the history of now is moot.

endtime Aug 13, 2024 View on HN

That's all fair, but the context of the conversation was the present day, not the aggregate of all human history.

chiefalchemist Oct 18, 2017 View on HN

Um. I'm not so sure history is on your side with that statement. If fact, it feels like history would argue the exact opposite.

tcbasche May 18, 2020 View on HN

I think you may be on the wrong side of history here

dang Jun 15, 2021 View on HN

Since the article is taking a historical perspective, I'm not sure it needs to?

pengstrom Jul 29, 2025 View on HN

The part about history perspectives sounds interesting. I haven't noticed this. Please post any concrete/specific examples you've encountered!

grzm Feb 24, 2017 View on HN

I think what you're reading is an recounting of history, rather than a prescription of how things should be.

rowanG077 Jun 19, 2022 View on HN

Why? History tells us this isn't the case. Why do you say this would be different now?

bluGill Sep 29, 2020 View on HN

Once again we are looking at history with a modern eye. What you say is true, but irrelevant.