Description
Book SynopsisExplores the nature of historical knowledge and its reliance on narrative. This book introduces the concept of "narrative sentences," in which an event is described with reference to later events and discusses why such sentences cannot be understood until the later event happens. It compares narrative and scientific explanation.
Trade ReviewOne of the few comprehensive attempts to approach basic problems in the philosophy of history from the viewpoint of analytical philosophy. American Historical Review A substantial work which covers a wide range of philosophical problems about history, and indeed extends to a consideration of some logical features of our whole language of time. Philosophers will admire it for its lucidity and sophistication as well for the author's care and fertility of argument. English Historical Review
Table of ContentsAfterwords: An Introduction to Arthur Danto's Narration and Knowledge (including his Analytical Philosophy of History) Lydia Goehr Introduction to the Morningside Edition Preface to Analytical Philosophy of History I Substantive and Analytical Philosophy of History II A Minimal Characterization of History III Three Objections against the Possibility of Historical Knowledge IV Verification, Verifiability, and Tensed Sentences V Temporal Language and Temporal Scepticisms VI Evidence and Historical Relativism VII History and Chronicle VIII Narrative Sentence IX Future-and Past-Contingencies X Historical Explanation: The Problem of General Laws XI Historical Explanation: The Role of Narratives XII Methodological Individualism and Methodological Socialism XIII Historical Understanding: The Problem of Other Periods XIV Historical Language and Historical Reality XV Narration and Knowledge Danto's Philosophy of History in Retrospective Frank Ankersmit Notes Index
