Abstract
The past two decades have seen a lively theoretical discussion internationally on how history is to be written and at the same time a conscious reorientation in the writing of history itself. The term “postmodernism” has at times been applied to the new theoretical outlook and the new historiography.1 The discussion has raised certain very fundamental questions regarding the nature of historical inquiry similar to those which have been asked regarding other forms of intellectual activity. These questions have revolved around the assumptions which have underlain historical writing — and philosophical thought — since the beginning of the Western tradition of secular history. There were two assumptions which were central to this tradition from Herodotus and Thucydides to the very recent past, namely, that there is a distinction, even if not necessarily an absolute dividing line, between fact and fiction, and similarly that there is a difference between rational thought and free imagination, even if the two may intersect.
Keywords
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Notes
See, for example, F. R. Ankersmit, “Historiography and Postmodernism,” History and Theory 28 (1989): 137–53.
See John E. Toews, “Intellectual History after the Linguistic Turn: The Autonomy of Meaning and the Irreducibility of Experience,” American Historical Review 92 (1987). 879–907.
Robert Finlay, “The Refashioning of Martin Guerre,” and Natalie Z. Davis, “‘On the Lame’” American Historical Review 93 (1989): 53–71
Cf. Hans Medick, “Missionaries in the Row Boat: Ethnological Ways of Knowing as a Challenge to Social History,” Comparative Studies in Society and History 29 (1987): 76–89.
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Copyright information
© 1993 Henry Kozicki
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Iggers, G.G. (1993). Rationality and History. In: Kozicki, H. (eds) Developments in Modern Historiography. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-14970-4_2
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-14970-4_2
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-0-333-74826-8
Online ISBN: 978-1-349-14970-4
eBook Packages: Palgrave History CollectionHistory (R0)