History in a Post-Truth World: Theory and Praxis

Edited By: Marius Gudonis (Collegium Civitas) & Benjamin T. Jones (CQ University & AuSI Foundation Fellow)

History in a Post-Truth World: Theory and Praxis explores one of the most significant paradigm shifts in public discourse. A post-truth environment that appeals primarily to emotion, elevates personal belief, and devalues expert opinion has important implications far beyond Brexit or the election of Donald Trump, and has a profound impact on how history is produced and consumed. Post-truth history is not merely a synonym for lies. This book argues that indifference to historicity by both the purveyor and the recipient, contempt for expert opinion that contradicts it, and ideological motivation are its key characteristics.

Taking a multidisciplinary approach, this work explores some of the following questions: What exactly is post-truth history? Does it represent a new phenomenon? Does the historian have a special role to play in preserving public memory from ‘alternative facts’? Do academics more generally have an obligation to combat fake news and fake history both in universities and on social media? Looking at theoretical dimensions and case studies from around the world, this book explores the violent potential of post-truth history and calls on readers to resist.

Register now to attend the online Book Launch hosted by CQU:

Thursday 5 November

5pm AEST (Brisbane time)

6pm AEDT (Sydney, Canberra time)

Speakers include:

Professor Bill Blayney, Dean of School of Education and the Arts, CQU

Professor Frank Bongiorno, Head of History, ANU

Some of the authors will discuss their chapters followed by a general QandA.