PHIL 122Philosophy of History

3 credits · Philosophy · Penn State

This course surveys the core questions that arise when thinking about history, the relevance of the past, and the writing of history: How can we know history? What does it explain and what does it teach? Are those who don¿t know it doomed to repeat it? Is it objective? How is it related to human nature and progress? And what exactly is history ¿ is it simply everything that has happened, or specific sequence of events, or a narrative we apply to make sense of some aspect of the past or present? In addressing these questions, the course emphasizes the thought of influential figures, including Hume, Vico, Hegel, Marx, Mill, Rickert, Dilthey, Croce, Collingwood, and Hempel. In general this course helps students think philosophically about the fact that humans live essentially through time and across generations. It also contributes to understanding the practice of studying, research, writing, and talking about history.