ENG ELC 220 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Totalitarianism, Anachronism, Coherence Theory
26 Oct 2020
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It comes from hegel idea that history proceeds in a line and that is directional or "going somewhere"". History is a process that unfolds toward a final goal. It is also a progressive view: what came before was less advanced than what came later, and it is inevitable. As opposed to those there are cyclical theories. It comes from toynbee history proceeds in cycles. All civilizations showed a similar pattern f growth, dominance and decay. You look for patterns and try to derive historical laws. No, there is no neutral position from which to do history. Historians can claim to be able to empathize with his subjects and gain understanding from their perspectives. However, this is not possible because historians use contemporary concepts, methodologies, epistemological assumptions, modern understanding of words and so on. They can commit anachronism because they project their contemporary ideas and values backwards. However, a certain amount of anachronism is unavoidable.
