Middlebury

HIST 0319

Philosophy of History

Readings in the Philosophy of History
Even before the appearance of Georg W. F. Hegel's classic study The Philosophy of History, a heated debate was being waged concerning the nature and substance of history. Is history, like science, expressible in predictable patterns or subject to irrevocable laws? What factors distinguish true history from the mere random succession of events? What should we assume to be the fundamental nature of historical truth, and are we to determine it objectively or subjectively? Is it possible to be human and yet be somehow "outside of" history? These are among the questions we will examine as we read and deliberate on a variety of philosophies of history, while concentrating on the most influential versions developed by Hegel and Karl Marx. 3 hrs. sem.
Subject:
History
Department:
History
Division:
Humanities
Requirements Fulfilled:
EUR HIS PHL
Equivalent Courses:
PHIL 0319

Sections in Spring 2011, School Abroad Japan (Tokyo)

Spring 2011

HIST0319A-S11 Seminar (Wyatt)