The Historians Paradox

Nonfiction, History, Reference, Historiography
Cover of the book The Historians Paradox by Peter Charles Hoffer, NYU Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Peter Charles Hoffer ISBN: 9780814737439
Publisher: NYU Press Publication: November 1, 2008
Imprint: NYU Press Language: English
Author: Peter Charles Hoffer
ISBN: 9780814737439
Publisher: NYU Press
Publication: November 1, 2008
Imprint: NYU Press
Language: English

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.

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

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.

More books from NYU Press

Cover of the book Praxis for the Poor by Peter Charles Hoffer
Cover of the book The Measure of America, 2010-2011 by Peter Charles Hoffer
Cover of the book Contagious Representation by Peter Charles Hoffer
Cover of the book The Correspondence of Walt Whitman (Vol. 4) by Peter Charles Hoffer
Cover of the book Ghosts of Jim Crow by Peter Charles Hoffer
Cover of the book The Many Colors of Crime by Peter Charles Hoffer
Cover of the book International Adoption by Peter Charles Hoffer
Cover of the book An Oasis City by Peter Charles Hoffer
Cover of the book Masculinity at Work by Peter Charles Hoffer
Cover of the book How East New York Became a Ghetto by Peter Charles Hoffer
Cover of the book Culture Clash by Peter Charles Hoffer
Cover of the book Beyond the Shadow of Camptown by Peter Charles Hoffer
Cover of the book Snitching by Peter Charles Hoffer
Cover of the book Women and Judaism by Peter Charles Hoffer
Cover of the book Muslim Cool by Peter Charles Hoffer
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