The theory of history and history

Author: (Italian) Benedetto Croce Tian Shigang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: This book is a masterpiece of historical philosophy by the renowned Italian philosopher and historian Benedetto Croce. It is divided into two parts. The first part explores the theory of historiography. First, he strictly distinguishes between history and chronicles: history is living history, while chronicles are dead history; history is contemporary, while chronicles are past; history is primarily about thought and action, while chronicles are primarily about will and action; history has close connections, while chronicles lack connections; history follows a logical order, while chronicles follow a chronological order; history delves into the core of events, while chronicles remain on the surface; history has living documents and profound thought, while chronicles have abstract records and hollow narration; history comes before chronicles. Furthermore, he clarifies the positive nature, humanity, and periodization of genuine history in contrast to various other forms of history. The second part reviews the history of historiography, from ancient Greece and Rome, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, Romanticism, positivist historiography, to the "New Historicism" of the 19th century.