Memory. Oblivion

Abstract

The subject of this essay is the reconstruction of some formal aspects of the relationship be-tween memory and oblivion. The reference context is that of the interpretation of the sociological theory of collective memory into cultural memory. The essay is also concerned with outlining a further shift from cultural to political theory through reference to counterfactual memory. The thesis it expresses, however, is that with respect to the political hypertrophy of memory, which operates as a guarantee of the identity of collective subjectivities, the critical work of historiography must always be guaranteed, which allows equal access to arguments based on evidences.

Keywords

• cultural memory
• critical history
• antipositivism
• public sphere
• symbolic forms