The Nature of Historical Explanation

Description: The Nature of Historical Explanation Quiz
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: philosophy of history historical explanation historiography
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Which philosopher is most closely associated with the idea of 'covering laws' in historical explanation?

  1. Carl Hempel

  2. David Hume

  3. R.G. Collingwood

  4. Hayden White


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Carl Hempel is known for his work on the philosophy of science, including his theory of covering laws in historical explanation. He argued that historical explanations should be based on general laws that connect causes and effects.

According to David Hume, what is the fundamental problem with historical explanation?

  1. The problem of induction

  2. The problem of causation

  3. The problem of objectivity

  4. The problem of narrative


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

David Hume argued that the problem of induction is the fundamental problem with historical explanation. He argued that we can never be certain that a general law that we observe in the past will continue to hold in the future.

What is the main criticism of the 'covering laws' model of historical explanation?

  1. It is too deterministic

  2. It is too subjective

  3. It is too focused on individual events

  4. It is too focused on general laws


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The main criticism of the 'covering laws' model of historical explanation is that it is too deterministic. Critics argue that it does not allow for the possibility of human agency and free will in history.

Which philosopher argued that historical explanations should be based on understanding the intentions and motives of historical actors?

  1. R.G. Collingwood

  2. Hayden White

  3. William Dray

  4. Patrick Gardiner


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

R.G. Collingwood argued that historical explanations should be based on understanding the intentions and motives of historical actors. He believed that historians should try to understand the world from the perspective of the people who lived in the past.

What is the main criticism of the 'intentionalist' model of historical explanation?

  1. It is too subjective

  2. It is too focused on individual events

  3. It is too focused on general laws

  4. It is too deterministic


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The main criticism of the 'intentionalist' model of historical explanation is that it is too subjective. Critics argue that it is impossible to know for certain what the intentions and motives of historical actors were.

Which philosopher argued that historical explanations should be based on the analysis of narrative structures?

  1. Hayden White

  2. R.G. Collingwood

  3. William Dray

  4. Patrick Gardiner


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Hayden White argued that historical explanations should be based on the analysis of narrative structures. He believed that historians should pay attention to the way that historical events are organized and presented in narratives.

What is the main criticism of the 'narrative' model of historical explanation?

  1. It is too subjective

  2. It is too focused on individual events

  3. It is too focused on general laws

  4. It is too deterministic


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The main criticism of the 'narrative' model of historical explanation is that it is too subjective. Critics argue that it is impossible to create a completely objective historical narrative.

Which philosopher argued that historical explanations should be based on the concept of 'discourse'?

  1. Michel Foucault

  2. Hayden White

  3. R.G. Collingwood

  4. William Dray


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Michel Foucault argued that historical explanations should be based on the concept of 'discourse'. He believed that historians should pay attention to the way that historical events are represented in language.

What is the main criticism of the 'discourse' model of historical explanation?

  1. It is too subjective

  2. It is too focused on individual events

  3. It is too focused on general laws

  4. It is too deterministic


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The main criticism of the 'discourse' model of historical explanation is that it is too subjective. Critics argue that it is impossible to create a completely objective historical discourse.

Which philosopher argued that historical explanations should be based on the concept of 'power'?

  1. Michel Foucault

  2. Hayden White

  3. R.G. Collingwood

  4. William Dray


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Michel Foucault argued that historical explanations should be based on the concept of 'power'. He believed that historians should pay attention to the way that power is exercised in history.

What is the main criticism of the 'power' model of historical explanation?

  1. It is too subjective

  2. It is too focused on individual events

  3. It is too focused on general laws

  4. It is too deterministic


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The main criticism of the 'power' model of historical explanation is that it is too subjective. Critics argue that it is impossible to create a completely objective historical explanation based on the concept of power.

Which philosopher argued that historical explanations should be based on the concept of 'structure'?

  1. Louis Althusser

  2. Hayden White

  3. R.G. Collingwood

  4. William Dray


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Louis Althusser argued that historical explanations should be based on the concept of 'structure'. He believed that historians should pay attention to the way that social structures shape historical events.

What is the main criticism of the 'structure' model of historical explanation?

  1. It is too subjective

  2. It is too focused on individual events

  3. It is too focused on general laws

  4. It is too deterministic


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The main criticism of the 'structure' model of historical explanation is that it is too deterministic. Critics argue that it does not allow for the possibility of human agency and free will in history.

Which philosopher argued that historical explanations should be based on the concept of 'agency'?

  1. Anthony Giddens

  2. Hayden White

  3. R.G. Collingwood

  4. William Dray


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Anthony Giddens argued that historical explanations should be based on the concept of 'agency'. He believed that historians should pay attention to the way that human agents shape historical events.

What is the main criticism of the 'agency' model of historical explanation?

  1. It is too subjective

  2. It is too focused on individual events

  3. It is too focused on general laws

  4. It is too deterministic


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The main criticism of the 'agency' model of historical explanation is that it is too subjective. Critics argue that it is impossible to create a completely objective historical explanation based on the concept of agency.

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