Human Nature and Historical Knowledge: Hume, Hegel and VicoThis book presents a study of the nature and conditions of historical knowledge, conducted through a study of the relevant theories of Hume, Hegel and Vico. It is usually thought that in order to establish historical facts, we have to have a theory of human nature to support our arguments. Hume, Hegel and Vico all subscribed to this view, and are therefore discussed in detail. Professor Pompa goes on to argue that there is in fact no way of discovering anything about human nature except through historical investigation. It is necessary therefore to find a different way of thinking about how we discover historical facts. This is done in the last chapter where, in opposition to almost all present views, it is argued that we must have a framework of inherited knowledge before we can believe in anything which results from historical enquiry. |
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accept actions activities actual actualisation argued argument aspects asserts causal causes claim coherence concept concrete constancy of human constitutive contingent course determinate earlier empirical historian epistemological evidence example existence existential explain final end forms of consciousness Giambattista Vico Hegel and Vico historical belief historical consciousness historical fact historical inference historical knowledge history of consciousness human consciousness human nature Hume Hume's Ibid idea of freedom ideal eternal history important interpretation involved kind latter logically Max Harold Fisch means nation necessary Nevertheless objective particular past philosophical history Philosophy of History possible present presupposes presupposition principles priori problem question R. G. Collingwood realised reason recognise relation relationship self-development sense sequence simply social society spirit suggestion Tagliacozzo theory thesis things third age Thomas Goddard Bergin thought true truth understanding uniformity of human University Press Vico's wholly world history