Authenticity as a Value

Aspects of a Conception of Authenticity in Heritage

Abstract

Authenticity is a theme that is increasingly present in debates about Heritage. However, ambiguities with other equally fundamental concepts such as originality and integrity show that what is "authentic" deserves more detailed attention. This article proposes an interpretation of authenticity as Value through the disambiguation between the observed notions of 'authentic-as-original' and 'original-as-authentic'. Then, it presents the structuring of a concept of Authenticity based on formal logic and discusses the researcher's role as an articulating agent of the notions presented in their historical contexts and scientific paradigms.