Values, Objectivity, and Explanation in Historiography

This book explores the issues of explanation and narration in historiography, arguing that history is not just interpretation, and that the interpretive part, important though it is, is far from wholly subjective or hostage to the historian's values.

List of contents

Introduction
Part I: Objectivity, Values, and Theory Choice
1. Participants and Fellow Travelers: The Left, the Soviet Union, and the Fall of Objectivism
2. Court Historian: Matters of Fact
3. Witches Cannot Fly: A Critique of the Notion of Situated Truths
4. In Defense of Objectivity: Facts and Theory Choice in Historiography
Part II: Explanation and Causality
5. The Ideal Explanatory Text in History: A Plea for Ecumenism
6. Mentality as a Social Emergent: Can the Zeitgeist Have Explanatory Power?
7. Acts of God?: Miracles and Scientific Explanation
8. Problems of Causation in Historiography

About the author

Tor Egil Førland is professor of contemporary history and head of the Department of Archaeology, Conservation and History at the University of Oslo.

Summary

This book explores the issues of explanation and narration in historiography, arguing that history is not just interpretation, and that the interpretive part, important though it is, is far from wholly subjective or hostage to the historian's values.

Product details

• Authors: Tor Egil (University of Oslo Forland, Tor Egil (University of Oslo Norway) Forland, Tor Egil Førland, Tor Egil (University of Oslo Frland
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 23.05.2019
• EAN: 9780367344481
• ISBN: 978-0-367-34448-1
• No. of pages: 208
• Series: Routledge Approaches to History
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Philosophy; Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; HISTORY / General, HISTORY / Historiography, HISTORY / Study & Teaching, Historiography