What to Do for Philosophy of History?

Lincoln Mullen · 21 Jan. 2008

For the class Philosophy of History, I can choose what to do for my graduate project. I’ve narrowed my choices to two: an annotated bibliography of readings in the philosophy of history or a paper on causation.

The annotated bibliography has much to recommend it. It would permit me to read widely in the subject area, and so gain a broader understanding of the field. My readings could inform my own philosophy of history, which I must work out soon, and they might give me a firmer base for practicing and teaching history. (A purely practical consideration is that I’ve already prepared a list of readings and made some progress at it.) Except for the danger of getting bogged down reading some obscurantist like Vico, I can think of no reason not to choose this project.

On the other hand, the idea of writing about causation has suddenly gripped me. For some time I have mused about historical causation, so the topic appeals to me. I am no philosopher, and working on a specific philosophical problem would present a new challenge and permit me to develop my skill at philosophy and at writing. I only fear that I might lack the necessary skill or prove an heir to Vico’s style.

What do you think, my gentle readers? Be you a historian or a philosopher, an academic or one happy to be outside academia, I welcome your advice.

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Andrew
Posted 23 Jan. 2008 at 6:50 pm | Permalink

Causation? Nice. Good luck. If you come to a persuasive conclusion, let me know. I’ll herald from the rooftops that you’ve accomplished the impossible. :-p

But seriously, causation is a notoriously difficult philosophical topic in any field. When you have to deal with the enormous complexities of history, it makes the project seem that much harder.

On the other hand, it would be an interesting study…

Becca
Posted 15 Feb. 2008 at 9:41 am | Permalink

Indeed. Even if you don’t come to a conclusion, surely the search for one should be interesting enough to make it still worthwhile.

I know legal causation and historical causation are probably two completely different animals, but you might be at least amused by the law case on causation, Palsgraf v. Long Island RR Co. It might be suitable intro material at any rate, and Justice Cardozo is always at least good fiction.

Lincoln Mullen
Posted 15 Feb. 2008 at 11:19 am | Permalink

Thanks for the link. I remember discussing that case in American Legal History, but I hadn’t read it.

The facts of the case are worth reading:

Plaintiff was standing on a platform of defendant’s railroad after buying a ticket to go to Rockaway Beach. A train stopped at the station, bound for another place. Two men ran forward to catch it. One of the men reached the platform of the car without mishap, though the train was already moving. The other man, carrying a package, jumped aboard the car, but seemed unsteady as if about to fall. A guard on the car, who had held the door open, reached forward to help him in, and another guard on the platform pushed him from behind. In this act, the package was dislodged, and fell upon the rails. It was a package of small size, about fifteen inches long, and was covered by a newspaper. In fact it contained fireworks, but there was nothing in its appearance to give notice of its contents. The fireworks when they fell exploded. The shock of the explosion threw down some scales at the other end of the platform, many feet away. The scales struck the plaintiff, causing injuries for which she sues.

I’ve decided to read for the class rather than write the paper on causation, but I am trying to include as much about causation as possible.