ABSTRACT

Philosophy of History is an essential introduction to a vast body of writing about history, from classical Greece and Rome to the modern world. M.C. Lemon maps out key debates and central concepts of philosophy of history, placing principal thinkers in the context of their times and schools of thought. Lemon explains the crucial differences between speculative philosophy as an enquiry into the content of history, and analytic philosophy of history as relating to the methods of history. The first two parts of the book trace each of these traditions, whereas the third part revisits both in the light of recent contributions to the discipline.

This guide provides a comprehensive survey of historical thought since ancient times. Its clear terminology and lucid argument will make it an invaluable source for students and teachers alike.

chapter |4 pages

INTRODUCTION

part |2 pages

PART 1 Speculative philosophy of history

chapter 1|7 pages

Speculative philosophy of history: what is it and why study it?

What is it and why study it? Introduction: the two branches of philosophy of history: speculative and analytic

chapter 2|14 pages

PRE-CLASSICAL IDEAS ON ‘HISTORY’

Introduction: principles of selection

chapter 5|33 pages

A changing consciousness of history: the Renaissance and

The Renaissance and Machiavelli

chapter 6|20 pages

AN INNOVATIVE INTERLUDE

chapter 7|41 pages

VICO’S PHILOSOPHY OF HISTORY

chapter 9|37 pages

HEGEL’S PHILOSOPHY OF HISTORY

chapter 10|41 pages

MARX ON HISTORY

part |2 pages

Part II ANALYTIC PHILOSOPHY OF HISTORY

chapter 11|9 pages

Analytic philosophy of history: what is it and why study it?

What is it and why study it? Analytic philosophy of history

chapter 12|33 pages

THE ‘WHAT IS HISTORY?’ DEBATE

chapter 13|34 pages

WHAT IS HISTORY FOR?

part |2 pages

Part III THE END OF HISTORY?

chapter 14|31 pages

THE END OF HISTORY?

The postmodernist challenge

chapter 15|39 pages

THE END OF HISTORY?

Fukuyama’s speculative philosophy of history