Heroes in History (Library of the Centuries)

Author: (American) Hook, translated by Wang Qingbin et al.
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-07-01
Features: Hook once called himself a "secular humanist," so he naturally opposed explaining history through mysterious reasons like divine will or the will of gods, instead acknowledging that humans create their own history. However, he was also clearly against the hero-centric view of history. Yet, the main target of criticism in this work is social determinism, including Hegel, Spencer, Toynbee, and Spengler, particularly Plekhanov—Hook called him a "orthodox Marxist social determinist" to distinguish him from Marx himself. This book offers a productive systematic approach to the puzzling issue of "great men" and "heroes" in history, making a significant contribution to historical theory. The title of this book explains its theme, not a special philosophy of history. Calling it "The Limits of Heroes in History" might also be equally appropriate. This title can also illustrate the content of the book, but it is not yet our ideas about historical heroes. Our ideas are detailed in the book. Please do not judge it solely based on the title. The analysis in the following chapters aims primarily to provide a productive systematic approach to this puzzling issue. We will strive to summarize various types of situations and conditions to correctly acknowledge or deny the influence of outstanding figures on those situations and conditions at any given time. What we offer is not a historical theory but a contribution to historical theory. This contribution should be given attention to properly explain human history. The title of this book explains its theme, not a special philosophy of history. Calling it "The Limits of Heroes in History" might also be equally appropriate. This title can also illustrate the content of the book, but it is not yet our ideas about historical heroes. Our ideas are detailed in the book. Please do not judge it solely based on the title. The analysis in the following chapters aims primarily to provide a productive systematic approach to this puzzling issue. We will strive to summarize various types of situations and conditions to correctly acknowledge or deny the influence of outstanding figures on those situations and conditions at any given time. What we offer is not a historical theory but a contribution to historical theory. This contribution should be given attention to properly explain human history. Hook once called himself a "secular humanist," so he naturally opposed explaining history through mysterious reasons like divine will or the will of gods, instead acknowledging that humans create their own history. However, he was also clearly against the hero-centric view of history. Yet, the main target of criticism in this work is social determinism, including Hegel, Spencer, Toynbee, and Spengler, particularly Plekhanov—Hook called him a "orthodox Marxist social determinist" to distinguish him from Marx himself. This book offers a productive systematic approach to the puzzling issue of "great men" and "heroes" in history, making a significant contribution to historical theory.