If history investigates the causes of events, comes up with evidence for the truth, then surely it must be connected to science and scientific inquiry. This paper will define what science is, the conceptions of history by different scholars in order to come up with a position of the extent to which history is a science.
History has been described variously. History is the study of past events especially the political, social and economic developments of a country, a continent or the world. It is also past events especially when considered as a whole. It is also the systematic description of past events, for example, the writing of a new history of Europe. History is also a series of past events or experiences connected with an object, a person or a place. History as a term comes from the Greek word historie. This word was used by Herodotus, meaning to research or to investigate.
In our study of history therefore, it means to investigate the human past, for example, activities of man during a time period. In history, we investigate the causes of events to come up with evidence to bring up the truth. The question ‘why?’ is important in human investigation so as to know about how and when. This simple explanation of what history is will guide us in exploring the extent to which history is a science.
Table of Contents
- ROBIN GEORGE COLLINGWOOD (1889-1943)
- CARL G. HEMPEL
- KARL MARX
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to explore the extent to which history can be considered a science. It examines the conceptions of history by different scholars, particularly Robin George Collingwood, Carl G. Hempel, and Karl Marx, to determine whether history aligns with the scientific method.
- The nature of history as a discipline and its relationship to science
- The role of rationality and the scientific method in historical inquiry
- The distinction between historical and natural sciences
- The importance of understanding motives and intentions in historical explanation
- The role of historical inquiry in uncovering the meaning behind events
Chapter Summaries
- ROBIN GEORGE COLLINGWOOD (1889-1943): This section explores Collingwood's view of history as a science of the mind. It argues that history is not simply a descriptive science of the past but rather a normative science of thought, focusing on the rationality of human actions.
- CARL G. HEMPEL: This section will delve into Hempel's conception of history as a science, emphasizing the importance of empirical observation and the use of the scientific method in historical inquiry. It will examine Hempel's views on the relationship between historical explanation and general laws.
- KARL MARX: This section will analyze Marx's perspective on history as a science, focusing on his theory of historical materialism and the role of economic factors in shaping historical events. It will examine Marx's views on the relationship between history and social change.
Keywords
This paper explores key concepts such as history as a science, the scientific method, rationality, historical explanation, historical materialism, and the nature of historical inquiry.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Mbogo Wa Wambui (Autor:in), 2011, Karl Marx, Carl G. Hempel and Robin G. Collingwood on the Empirical Nature of History, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/324253
