Past Futures

The Impossible Necessity of History

Nonfiction, History, Reference, Study & Teaching, Historiography
Cover of the book Past Futures by Ged Martin, University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Ged Martin ISBN: 9781442658868
Publisher: University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division Publication: December 15, 2004
Imprint: Language: English
Author: Ged Martin
ISBN: 9781442658868
Publisher: University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division
Publication: December 15, 2004
Imprint:
Language: English

By nature, human beings seek to make sense of their past. Paradoxically, true historical explanation is ultimately impossible. Historians never have complete evidence from the past, nor is their methodology rigorous enough to prove causal links. Although it cannot be proven that 'A caused B,' by redefining the agenda of historical discourse, scholars can locate events in time and place history once again at the heart of intellectual activity.

In Past Futures, Ged Martin advocates examining the decisions that people take, most of which are not the result of a 'process,' but are reached intuitively. Subsequent rationalizations that constitute historical evidence simply mislead. All historians can do is to locate them in time, to explain not why a decision was taken, but why then? To illustrate, Martin asks a number of questions: What is a 'long time' in history? Are we close to the past or remote from it? Is democracy a recent experiment, or proof of our arrival at the end of a journey through time? Can we engage in a historical dialogue with the past without making clear our own ethical standpoints? Although explanation is ultimately impossible, humankind can make sense of its location in time through the concept of 'significance,' a device for highlighting events and aspects of the past. In so doing, Martin suggests a radical new approach to historical discourse.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

By nature, human beings seek to make sense of their past. Paradoxically, true historical explanation is ultimately impossible. Historians never have complete evidence from the past, nor is their methodology rigorous enough to prove causal links. Although it cannot be proven that 'A caused B,' by redefining the agenda of historical discourse, scholars can locate events in time and place history once again at the heart of intellectual activity.

In Past Futures, Ged Martin advocates examining the decisions that people take, most of which are not the result of a 'process,' but are reached intuitively. Subsequent rationalizations that constitute historical evidence simply mislead. All historians can do is to locate them in time, to explain not why a decision was taken, but why then? To illustrate, Martin asks a number of questions: What is a 'long time' in history? Are we close to the past or remote from it? Is democracy a recent experiment, or proof of our arrival at the end of a journey through time? Can we engage in a historical dialogue with the past without making clear our own ethical standpoints? Although explanation is ultimately impossible, humankind can make sense of its location in time through the concept of 'significance,' a device for highlighting events and aspects of the past. In so doing, Martin suggests a radical new approach to historical discourse.

More books from University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division

Cover of the book A Theory of the Expenditure Budgetary Process by Ged Martin
Cover of the book Jacques Chessex by Ged Martin
Cover of the book In Their Own Words by Ged Martin
Cover of the book Canadian Public Policy by Ged Martin
Cover of the book Karl Philipp Moritz by Ged Martin
Cover of the book Fritz Bennewitz in India by Ged Martin
Cover of the book Canadian Population and Northern Colonization by Ged Martin
Cover of the book Understanding School Choice in Canada by Ged Martin
Cover of the book Macroeconomic Dynamics by Ged Martin
Cover of the book Judging Bertha Wilson by Ged Martin
Cover of the book Shakespeare's Comedies of Love by Ged Martin
Cover of the book Innovating for the Global South by Ged Martin
Cover of the book Beyond Bodies by Ged Martin
Cover of the book Roman Slavery and Roman Material Culture by Ged Martin
Cover of the book Who is an Indian? by Ged Martin
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy