Answer:
When examining a historical figure's point of view, a historian is trying to understand:
• The context in which that person lived - The time period, culture, society, political system, economic realities, and major issues or events that shaped the historical figure's environment and experiences. This provides context for why they may have thought the way they did.
• The values and beliefs of that era - The moral, religious, philosophical and intellectual paradigms that informed how people in that historical figure's world viewed topics like government, society, economy, religion, science and humanity. Understanding these prevailing worldviews helps explain their point of view.
• Their aims and motivations - What the historical figure was trying to achieve through their words and actions. Having an idea of their goals, aspirations and motives provides insight into why they thought and acted the way they did.
• Their perspectives and biases - The particular lens through which that person viewed the world, including their assumptions, prejudices, cultural influences and self-interests. Recognizing these perspectives helps the historian interpret the figure's point of view more accurately.
• How their ideas differed from others of that time - By comparing and contrasting the historical figure's outlook with contrasting perspectives within their era, the historian can better discern what was unique or distinctive about their particular point of view.
Essentially, the historian is trying to think like that person did, based on the available evidence of their words and actions seen through the context of their time and situation. This can yield important insights into what shaped human history and society.