Historical Explanation: An Anti-Causalist Approach

This book explores the appropriate form of explanations in historiography and the social sciences, combining action theory and philosophy of historiography to develop a theory of teleological explanations of human actions based on late-Wittgensteinian and Ordinary Language Philosophy insights. It challenges the mainstream views that favor causal theories of human action and proposes a Verstehen (understanding) approach in historiography and the social sciences.

Format: Hardback
Length: 346 pages
Publication date: 14 November 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book delves into the realm of explanations in historiography and the social sciences, combining action theory and philosophy of historiography to develop a novel theory of teleological explanations of human actions. While causal theories of human action are prevalent in philosophy of action, the prevailing perspective in current philosophy of historiography advocates explaining historical phenomena by their underlying causes. This book challenges these mainstream views by resurrecting an anti-causal perspective on the explanation of human actions. The author argues that disciplines dealing with human actions necessitate a specific form of explanation, namely a teleological or intentional explanation. This means that past human actions and their outcomes must be explained by the reasons of agents, rather than by external factors or causes. Consequently, historiography employs a method of explanation that differs significantly from the scientific approach. The author proposes a Verstehen (understanding) approach in historiography and the social sciences, aiming to provide a deeper understanding of human actions and their consequences.

This book will appeal to scholars and advanced students engaged in the fields of philosophy of action, philosophy of history, and philosophy of the social sciences. It offers a fresh perspective on historical explanation and provides valuable insights into the nature of human actions and their interpretation.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032586540