Evolution of Western Historical Theory

Author: Zhang Shirong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-07-01
Features: This book is a monograph on historical theory. Standing at the height of philosophy and culture, it systematically presents the colorful development of Western historical theory from ancient Greece to postmodernism. It includes analyses of schools of thought and movements, as well as introductions to important thinkers. Among them, rationalism and scientism hold a central position in Western historical theory, exhibiting diverse characteristics. Regarding the nature of historiography, there are debates over whether it is an art or a science, as well as whether it is a spiritual science or an empirical science. Concerning historical knowledge itself, there are advocacy for objectivism, skepticism, and relativism. Regarding the driving forces of history, there are debates between idealist heroism and materialist people's history. Regarding historical development models, there are disagreements between cyclical theories and theories of perfection. Regarding historical interpretation methods, there are debates between teleology and determinism, as well as between contingency and necessity. The content is extensive and profound, which is a major feature of the book. Reading this book not only enables readers to understand the diverse reflections of numerous thinkers in Western history over several centuries but also provides new perspectives and methodologies for Chinese historiography.