Historical truth is not validated by success or acceptance

Evidence

However, the truth of a historical project is not validated ex post through success, that is to say, by the fact that it is accepted and realized by the society. Galilean science was true while it was still condemned; Marxian theory was already true at the time of the Communist Manifesto; fascism remains false even if it is in ascent on an international scale (“true” and “false” always in the sense of historical rationality as defined above). In the contemporary period, all historical projects tend to be polarized on the two conflicting totalities—capitalism and communism, and the outcome seems to depend on two antagonistic series of factors: (1) the greater force of destruction; (2) the greater productivity without destruction. In other words, the higher historical truth would pertain to the system which offers the greater chance of pacification. — Herbert Marcuse, One-Dimensional Man, 784

Categorization

• DEFINE: Defines ‘historical rationality’ as distinct from merely factual or success-based truth.
• XREF: Connects to Frankfurt School’s rejection of crude historical determinism and to the ‘greater chance of pacification’ criterion for judging systems. — connects to: Only failed historical possibilities, not achieved ones, are condemned as outdated — Theodor W. Adorno, Minima Moralia: Reflections from…, 108; Critical theory’s truth is validated by insight, not by majority or victory — Dirk Braunstein, Adorno’s Critique of Political Economy, 640; Well-intentioned historical revisionism still fails rigorous evidentiary standards — Gil Anidjar, The Jew, the Arab: A History of the…, 937 (+5 more)

Broader Connections

• Popular acceptance neither proves truth nor wisdom of a belief #corroborates (0.92) — Ruggero J. Aldisert, Agatha D. Aldisert, Logic for Lawyers- A Guide to Clear…, 1061
• Well-intentioned historical revisionism still fails rigorous evidentiary standards #corroborates (0.82) — Gil Anidjar, The Jew, the Arab, 937
• Common sense is contradictory and only validates truths by their historical spread #complicates (0.75) — Antonio Gramsci, Selections from the Prison Notebooks, 1513
• A sophisticated people can actively reject history as worthless #exemplifies (0.75)