2017/09/27 by Kocka, Jürgen
#Geschichtswissenschaften #Historical Science #Historiographie #Historiography #Theorie #Theory
paper · doi:10.12759/hsr.7.1982.3.4-19
The present essay discusses the use of theory in history: It outlines the stimuli which have led to a growing application of theory in West German historiography of the last two decades. It also discusses old and new objections against the use of theory in the writing of history, including most recent developments (Alltagsgeschichte). Quantification and the use of theory in history is another topic being dealt with. The essay concludes with a summary of arguments for and against the use of theory in history, stressing its positive functions and results.