The Philosophy of History: A Re-examination

The philosophy of history is an area of interest not only to philosophers, but to historians and to social scientists. It has been of central importance in continental European philosophy since the late 18th century, and for the past half-century has had a significant place in Anglo-American philosophy. Interest in the philosophy of history continues to grow. This volume offers both an introduction to contemporary discussion in the philosophy of history, and a 'reassessment' of some of the major movements in the philosophy of history since the beginning of the 20th century. Including the work of leading international scholars in the field, the book presents a wide range of perspectives from different schools in philosophy, and in political and social theory, history, and the history of ideas. Traditional questions raised in the philosophy of history are explored with fresh insight - the nature of history; historical understanding; historical objectivity; the nature of the past; the psychological factors in historical explanation; the human significance of history - alongside issues which are less frequently examined including: the role of science and mathematics in history, history as a social science, and history as an art form. As history itself remains disputed ground, it is important to consider what clues history can provide for our response to issues of contemporary concern such as political realignments and economic globalisation; this volume offers important insights from leading scholars in the philosophy of history.

William Sweet

Contents: Introduction: The philosophy of history: today, yesterday and tomorrow, William Sweet. Part I History and Historical Understanding: History: a thing of the past?, James Connelly; Post-formalist criticism in the history of philosophy, Catherine Wilson; The art of history: history and the history-painting tradition, Louis Groarke; Clio in the Lyceum: finding room for history in Aristotle's thought, Jonathan Lavery; Kierkegaard: historical inquiry and the individual, Dennis Hudecki; History and mathematics, Richard Feist; Temporal priority and a better world, Franz Schreiner and Mostafa Faghfoury. Part II Explanation and Objectivity: Speculative versus critical philosophy of history, Leslie Armour; History, philosophy and historiography: philosophy and the critique of historical thinking, Lionel Rubinoff; Agency and the objectivity of historical narratives, Karsten R. Stueber; 'Traditional' versus postmodern history: the contribution of narrative, Jean-François Méthot; The Frankfurt School and the philosophy of history, Delamar José Volpato Dutra. Bibliography; Index.