Historiography, Philosophy of History and the Historical Turn in Analytic Philosophy

TL;DR: In this paper, the authors illustrate the historiographical conceptions of three early analytic philosophers: Frege, Russell and Wittgenstein, and consider some of the debates generated by the recent historical turn in analytic philosophy, looking at the work of Scott Soames and Hans-Johann Glock.

Abstract: This article has three main interconnected aims. First, I illustrate the historiographical conceptions of three early analytic philosophers: Frege, Russell and Wittgenstein. Second, I consider some of the historiographical debates that have been generated by the recent historical turn in analytic philosophy, looking at the work of Scott Soames and Hans-Johann Glock, in particular. Third, I discuss Arthur Danto’s Analytic Philosophy of History, published 50 years ago, and argue for a reinvigorated analytic philosophy of history.

Summary

Introduction

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Author Contributions

• The manuscript was written through contributions of all authors.
• All authors have given approval to the final version of the manuscript.

Notes

• The authors declare no competing financial interest.
• Irma Flores would like to acknowledge CONACYT for the Ph.D. grant awarded.
• 3D image of Candida antarctica Lipase B (CALB) was taken from Protein Data Bank (PDB ID: 4K6G).
• Authors are also thankful to Novozymes for providing the Novozym 435 sample used throughout in this work.

Full text

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DOI:
10.1163/18722636-12341321
Document Version
Peer reviewed version
Link to publication record in King's Research Portal
Citation for published version (APA):
Beaney, M. A. (2016). Historiography, Philosophy of History and the Historical Turn in Analytic Philosophy.
Journal of the Philosophy of History. https://doi.org/10.1163/18722636-12341321
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Historiography,-Philosophy-of-Histor y -
and-the-Historical-Turn-in-Analytic-Philosophy-
Michael-Beaney-
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Abstract-
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1
The term ‘history’ is used in three main senses. It can mean a (relevant) series of past events, a
(relevant) account of such a series, or the discipline of writing such accounts. Context usually makes
clear which sense is intended. Generally, though, I shall use it in the first sense with the definite article,
as in speaking of ‘the history of philosophy’ to denote philosophy’s actual past, in the second sense
with either the indefinite or no article, as in speaking of ‘writing a history of philosophy’, and in the
third sense with no article, as in speaking of ‘doing history of philosophy’. Sometimes both the second
and third senses may be involved, as in speaking of ‘using history of philosophy’, but no confusion
need result. Where unclarity might arise, I shall add an appropriate qualification in parentheses.

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The historical mode of investigation, which seeks to trace the development of things
from which to understand their nature, is certainly legitimate; but it also has its
limitations. If everything were in continual flux and nothing remained fixed and
eternal, then knowledge of the world would cease to be possible and everything would
be thrown into confusion. We imagine, it seems, that concepts originate in the
individual mind like leaves on a tree, and we suppose that their nature can be
understood by investigating their origin and seeking to explain them psychologically
through the working of the human mind. But this conception makes everything
subjective, and taken to its logical conclusion, abolishes truth. What is called the
history of concepts is really either a history of our knowledge of concepts or of the
meanings of words. Often it is only through enormous intellectual work, which can last
for hundreds of years, that knowledge of a concept in its purity is achieved, by peeling
off the alien clothing that conceals it from the mind’s eye. (1884, p. VII/1997, p. 88)
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Frequently asked questions

Q1. What are the contributions in this paper?

This article has three main interconnected aims.