Evidence and Meaning: A Theory of Historical Studies (Making Sense of History, 28)

As one of the premier historical thinkers of his generation, Jörn Rüsen has made enormous contributions to the methods and theoretical framework of history as it is practiced today. In __Evidence and Meaning__, Rüsen surveys the seismic changes that have shaped the historical profession over the last half-century, while offering a clear, economical account of his theory of history. To traditional historiography Rüsen brings theoretical insights from philosophy, narrative theory, cultural studies, and the social sciences, developing an intricate but robust model of “historical thinking” as both a cognitive discipline and a cultural practice—one that is susceptible neither to naïve empiricism nor radical relativism. "As one of the premier historical thinkers of his generation, Jörn Rüsen has made enormous contributions to the methods and theoretical framework of history as it is practiced today. In Evidence and Meaning, Rüsen surveys the seismic changes that have shaped the historical profession over the last half-century, while offering a clear, economical account of his theory of history. To traditional historiography Rüsen brings theoretical insights from philosophy, narrative theory, cultural studies, and the social sciences, developing an intricate but robust model of “historical thinking” as both a cognitive discipline and a cultural practice―one that is susceptible neither to naïve empiricism nor radical relativism." -- From Amazon As one of the premier historical thinkers of his generation, Jorn Rusen has made enormous contributions to the methods and theoretical framework of history as it is practiced today. In Evidence and Meaning , Rusen surveys the seismic changes that have shaped the historical profession over the last half-century, while offering a clear, economical account of his theory of history. To traditional historiography Rusen brings theoretical insights from philosophy, narrative theory, cultural studies, and the social sciences, developing an intricate but robust model of "historical thinking" as both a cognitive discipline and a cultural practice-one that is susceptible neither to naive empiricism nor radical relativism. Contents Tables and Figures Preface Introduction CHAPTER 1 What is Metahistory? CHAPTER 2 The Foundations of Historical Thinking CHAPTER 3 History as Academic Discipline CHAPTER 4 A Systematic Approach: Categories, Theories, Concepts CHAPTER 5 Methodology: The Rules of the Historical Method CHAPTER 6 Topics: How We Write History CHAPTER 7 The Basis of Historical Culture CHAPTER 8 Practical History: Learning, Understanding, Humanity Final Reflections: Finding Reason between Meaning and Meaninglessness Bibliography Index One of the premier historiographers alive today, Joern Rusen has made enormous contributions to the methods and theoretical framework of history. In this book, Rusen surveys the seismic changes that have shaped the historical profession over the last half-century, while offering a clear, economical account of his theory of history. Jörn Rüsen ; Translated From The German By Diane Kerns And Katie Digan. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.