The Historians' Paradox: The Study of History in Our Time - Couverture souple

Hoffer, Peter Charles

 
9780814737156: The Historians' Paradox: The Study of History in Our Time
Couverture souple
ISBN 10 : 0814737153 ISBN 13 : 9780814737156
Editeur : New York University Press, 2010

Synopsis

Hoffer argues for a new methodological philosophy of history that mitigates fallibility and paradox

How do we know what happened in the past? We cannot go back, and no amount of historical data can enable us to understand with absolute certainty what life was like "then." It is easy to demolish the very idea of historical knowing, but it is impossible to demolish the importance of historical knowing. In an age of cable television pundits and anonymous bloggers dueling over history, the value of owning history increases at the same time as our confidence in history as a way of knowing crumbles. Historical knowledge thus presents a paradox--the more it is required, the less reliable it has become. To reconcile this paradox--that history is impossible but necessary--Peter Charles Hoffer proposes a practical, workable philosophy of history for our times, one that is robust and realistic, and that speaks to anyone who reads, writes and teaches history.

Covering a sweeping range of philosophies (from ancient history to game theory), methodological approaches to writing history, and the advantages and disadvantages of different strategies of argument, Hoffer constructs a philosophy of history that is reasonable, free of fallacy, and supported by appropriate evidence that is itself tenable.

Les informations fournies dans la section « Synopsis » peuvent faire référence à une autre édition de ce titre.

À propos de l?auteur

Peter Charles Hoffer is Distinguished Research Professor of History at the University of Georgia. He has authored and co-authored more than twenty books, including Clio Among the Muses: Essays on History and the Humanities; The Historians' Paradox: The Study of History in Our Time; and The Clamor of Lawyers: The American Revolution and the Crisis in the Legal Profession.

Les informations fournies dans la section « A propos du livre » peuvent faire référence à une autre édition de ce titre.

Éditeur
New York University Press
Date d'édition
2010
Langue
anglais
ISBN 10 
0814737153
ISBN 13 
9780814737156
Reliure
Broché
Nombre de pages
226
Coordonnées du fabricant
non disponible
Personne responsable
non disponible

Autres éditions populaires du même titre

9780814737149: The Historians' Paradox: The Study of History in Our Time

Edition présentée

ISBN 10 :  0814737145 ISBN 13 :  9780814737149
Editeur : New York University Press, 2008
Couverture rigide