Certain Quote by John Malkovich
“When you think of how history is revealed, we know certain things to be facts at certain periods of time, which turn out not to be so factual as time marches on.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: TED Talk, 2015
Historical “facts” are provisional; as new evidence emerges, our understanding evolves, showing history is a continual reinterpretation.
In simple terms: History changes with new information.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions about the past.
Themes
history
knowledge
uncertainty
science
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- education
- research
- public policy
- media analysis
Key Concepts
revisionism
epistemology
temporal perspective
Questions to Reflect On
- What current belief might future generations doubt?
- How do we balance respect for tradition with new evidence?
A Different Perspective
Some “facts” may be entrenched in culture, resisting change.
![“For it is really better for us not to know a thing, because [God] has not revealed it to us, than to know it according to man’s wisdom, because he has been bold enough to assume it.” quote by Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a04/tertullian-3469_assuming_for-it-is-really-better-for-us-not-to-kn_1658085.jpg)
![“I think history has shown that the worst way to [try to] bring people over and actually change public opinion is by insult and applied degradation of them.” quote by E. O. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4a1/e-o-wilson-1348_degradation_i-think-history-has-shown-that-the-worst_257290.jpg)
