David Lowenthal

David Lowenthal is a scholar known for his work on the concept of collective memory, which refers to how groups of people remember their past. He emphasizes that memory is not just about recalling facts, but involves shared beliefs, cultural narratives, and interpretations that shape a community’s identity. Lowenthal argues that memories are often reconstructed over time, influenced by current values and societal changes. This process helps communities maintain continuity and cohesion, but can also lead to distortions or selective remembrance, impacting how people understand their history and heritage.