Due to the influence of postmodernism, historical anti-realism has come to exercise a massive influence in contemporary philosophy of history. Edited by Tor Egil Førland and Branko Mitrović, The Povery of Anti-realism: Critical Perspectives on Postmodernist Philosophy of History presents perspectives that oppose anti-realist understanding of historians' work. The first part of the book gives an overview of contemporary anti-realist philosophy of history and shows that its claims are either so wide-ranging that they apply to all scientific knowledge, or pertain only to a select part of historians’ work. In the second part, the authors criticize major anti-realist tenets. These include: the assertion that the colligatory concepts historians use are without reference in the past; the idea that historical facts are theory-dependent and therefore unable to upend prevailing theories; Paul Roth’s application of Nelson Goodman’s “irrealist” theory of worldmaking to suggest a plurality of pasts; and the belief that multiple describability prevents historians from providing true and testable accounts of the past. The third and final part shows that the political implications of anti-realism are often other than left-leaning anti-realists think. Their reactions when confronted with the consequences of their theories indicate the inconsistency and untenability of postmodernist philosophy of history.
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Philosophy of history is currently dominated by postmodernist anti-realists who claim that historiography can never provide true accounts of the past. The Poverty of Anti-realism exposes the faulty premises and reasoning behind such assertions and shows that anti-realism has political implications unforeseen and unwanted by its adherents.
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Introduction: Being Realist about History by Tor Egil Førland and Branko MitrovićPart I: Philosophical ContextsChapter 1: Idealism in Historical Theory 1970–2020 by Adam TimminsChapter 2: A Deceiving Resemblance: Realism Debates in Philosophy of Science and Philosophy of Historiography by Veli VirmajokiPart II: CritiquesChapter 3: Historical Accuracy and Historians’ Objectivity by Branko MitrovićChapter 4: Historiography beyond Partisanship: Establishing Facts and Evaluating Theories by Tor Egil FørlandChapter 5: Irrealism and Historical Theory: A User’s Guide by Adam TimminsChapter 6: Saving Historical Reality (Even If We Construct It) by David WebermanPart III: Political ImplicationsChapter 7: Is Historical Antirealism (Ever) Politically Progressive? by Ian VerstegenChapter 8: Postmodern Frankenstein; or, the Alternative Facts Monster by Tor Egil FørlandChapter 9: Arguments, Partisanship, and Politics: Is Anti-realism in the Philosophy of History a Right-Wing Ideology? by Branko Mitrović
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Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9781666933628
Publisert
2023-09-15
Utgiver
Vendor
Lexington Books/Fortress Academic
Vekt
522 gr
Høyde
239 mm
Bredde
159 mm
Dybde
24 mm
Aldersnivå
P, 06
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Innbundet
Antall sider
246

Biographical note

Tor Egil Førland is professor of history and head of the Department of Philosophy, Classics, History of Art and Ideas at the University of Oslo.

Branko Mitrović is professor of architectural history and theory at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).