presentism

[ pri-zen-tiz-uhm ]

noun

1. the centering of present-day attitudes, values, and concepts in the interpretation of historical events:

   Presentism and failure to understand the political themes of the book in their historical context have led to many poorly informed modern criticisms of it.

2. Philosophy. the metaphysical doctrine that only things that are present exist.

Other Words From

• pre·sent·ist adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of presentism¹

First recorded in 1915–20; present ¹( def ) + -ism ( def )

Example Sentences

That said, perspective is important in history and I don't believe in "presentism," the idea that we can hold people who lived in other times to the moral and legal standards of our own.

From Salon

I am proud to be woke, as are most liberals, and we do not subscribe to “presentism” or focus on statues.

From Washington Post

It seemed a long way from the presentism debate.

From New York Times

Today’s disparagement of Witherspoon is more than just another example of “presentism” — judging the past through the lens of the present.

From Washington Post

And it echoes a heated debate among historians over presentism, which is the tendency to use the moral lens of today to interpret past eras and people.

From New York Times