In common with history, all the social sciences crucially rely on descriptions of the past for their evidence. But when, if ever, is it reasonable to regard such descriptions as true? This book attempts to establish the conditions that warrant belief in historical descriptions. It does so in a non-technical way, analysing numerous illustrations of the different kinds of argument about the past employed by historians and others. The author concludes that no historical description can be finally proved, and that we are only ever justified in believing them for certain practical purposes. This central question has not been addressed in such a thorough and systematic manner before. It draws on recent philosophy of history and will interest philosophers. But the wealth of material and accessibility of the presentation will also make it very valuable for historians and other social scientists concerned with the logic of their disciplines.
| ISBN: | 9780521318303 |
| Publication date: | 25th October 1984 |
| Author: | Christopher Behan McCullagh |
| Publisher: | Cambridge University Press |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 264 pages |
| Series: | Cambridge Studies in Philosophy |
| Genres: |
Philosophy |
In common with history, all the social sciences crucially rely on descriptions of the past for their evidence. But when, if ever, is it reasonable to regard such descriptions as true? This book attempts to establish the conditions that warrant belief in historical descriptions. It does so in a non-technical way, analysing numerous illustrations of the different kinds of argument about the past employed by historians and others. The author concludes that no historical description can be finally proved, and that we are only ever justified in believing them for certain practical purposes. This central question has not been addressed in such a thorough and systematic manner before. It draws on recent philosophy of history and will interest philosophers. But the wealth of material and accessibility of the presentation will also make it very valuable for historians and other social scientists concerned with the logic of their disciplines.
Justifying Historical Descriptions features in the following genres: Philosophy
Justifying Historical Descriptions is available in Paperback
Justifying Historical Descriptions was written by Christopher Behan McCullagh and published by Cambridge University Press
Justifying Historical Descriptions has 264 pages
Yes it is part of Cambridge Studies in Philosophy series