Real History: Reflections on Historical Practice

by Bunzl,Martin

• ISBN13: 9780415159616
• ISBN10: 041515961X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1997-11-06
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

InReal History: Reflections on Historical Practice, Martin Bunzl charts a new direction for the philosophy of history. He proposes a synthesis between debates about objectivity among historians and recent philosophical arguments about realism. In his clear and direct style, Bunzl argues for an approach to history based on what historians actually do in contrast to what they say they are doing. Drawing on a broad literature including the works of Foucault, Geertz, Novick, Danto and Scott, the result is a new and exciting model for philosophy of history that casts objectivity and realism in a new light. Martin Bunzl merges two parallel debates in history and philosophy. In his wide-ranging argument, he draws on relevant discussions ranging from: post-structuralism; to the philosophy of science; to the hermeneutic turn in anthropology; to debates about the history of women. Real Historyis fascinating and essential reading for all those interested in a reconciliation of thedebates about the methodology and study of the philosophy of history.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	viii
INTRODUCTION	1	(7)
1 OBJECTIVITY RECONFIGURED	8	(19)
2 HISTORICAL FACTS	27	(17)
3 THE CONSTRUCTION OF HISTORY	44	(13)
4 FOUCAULT BY HISTORIANS	57	(27)
5 EXTENDING THE ARGUMENT	84	(21)
6 CONCLUDING WORRIES	105	(7)
Notes	112	(26)
Bibliography	138	(8)
Index	146