1st Edition

The Logic of History Putting Postmodernism in Perspective

By C. Behan McCullagh Copyright 2004
    224 Pages
    by Routledge

    222 Pages
    by Routledge

    The Logic of History reveals the rational basis for historians' descriptions, interpretations and explanations of past events. C. Behan McCullagh defends the practice of history as more reliable than has recently been acknowledged. Historians, he argues, make their accounts of the past as fair as they can and avoid misleading their readers. He explains and discusses postmodern criticisms of history, providing students and teachers of history with a renewed validation of their practice. McCullagh takes the history debate to a new stage with bold replies to the major questions historians face today.

    Acknowledgements, Introduction, 1 The possibility of historical knowledge, 2 The meanings of texts, actions and events, 3 Justifying descriptions of the past, 4 Causes of human actions, 5 Types of historical narrative, 6 Judging historical interpretations, 7 Causes and conditions in history, 8 Historical explanations, Conclusion, References, Name index, Subject index

    Biography

    C. Behan McCullagh

    'A meticulous exposition, primarily aimed at students, of 'the logic of history' ... rarely less than lucid.' - History

    'A useful guide ... [that] will make [a] useful addition to principles and methods of history reading lists.' - Literature and History

    'An ideal explanation of what history is all about.' - Midwest Book Review