Truth and history / Murray G. Murphey.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Murphey, Murray G.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

History--Philosophy.

History.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (226 p.)

Other Title:

Truth & history

Place of Publication:

Albany : SUNY Press, c2009.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Setting aside barren issues such as the scientific status of history, Murray G. Murphey develops an empirical approach to historical study that can yield theories (interpretations) that are testable and confirmable. He examines the evidence on which historical theories are based, the types of explanations used, and particularly the way historical theories are tested. The book treats not only the actual process of historical research but also the philosophical problems involved in historical work. The treatment of causation is new, as is the discussion of epistemology. In his discussions, Murphey covers a wide range of sources and examples, including Frederick Jackson Turner, the Gospels, perspectives on the causes of the Great Depression, the Vinland Map, witchcraft, and material culture. The book is addressed to all who do history or write about it, and it will be a useful text for those who teach courses in historiography.

Contents:

Front Matter

Contents

Preface

Metaphysics and Epistemology

Evidence

Explanation

Theory

Narrative

Confirmation 1

Confirmation 2

The Logic of History

Notes

Index

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references (p. 183-199) and index.

ISBN:

9780791477502

0791477509

9781441621108

1441621105

OCLC:

436281209