Event Timeslots (1)
Tuesday
-
This course will be an introduction to the contemporary philosophy of history. We will start by exploring the origins of the philosophy of history as an interdisciplinary academic field, then briefly discuss the main concepts of substantive philosophy of history. The main focus of the seminar will be on examining the main approaches within contemporary analytic philosophy of history: narrative philosophy of history (Arthur Danto, Hayden White, Frank Ankersmit), the "internal realism" position (Hilary Putnam, Chris Lorenz), Leon Goldstein's phenomenological-hermeneutic approach, irrealism (Paul Roth), and post-narrativism (Jouni-Matti Kuukkanen).
In this seminar, we will discuss the following questions in detail: What is the philosophy of history? Who or what is the key agent of history? What is progress, and where is it leading us? What is the epistemology of history? What is a historical narrative, and how does it relate to historical reality? Is truth attainable in historical science? And how can we define the objectivity of historical knowledge?
The seminar will include a mix of lectures and discussions. Students are expected to actively participate in discussions based on their study of the recommended reading.
CP credits can be earned by submitting a short essay based on a presentation in the seminar.