Knowledge and Explanation in History: An Introduction to the Philosophy of History (Cornell Paperbacks)

Presented here is an introduction to the philosophy of history which treats - in a thorough though nontechnical way - such central topics as the significance of statements about the past, objectivity, explanation, causal analysis, and values. In discussing these topics, Professor Atkinson takes account of the main writings on history by philosophers and historians alike, especially those of the last fifty years. The book is designed both to introduce the analytical philosophy of history to non-specialist readers and to make a contribution to the subject. Although the treatment is intentionally not elementary, it presupposes no advanced knowledge of philosophy or of history. Professor Atkinson demonstrates that philosophy of history, as a subject in its own right, can be made accessible to the general reader.