The Philosophical Foundations of Historical Inquiry - Essay Example

According to Karl Popper (1962), “Recently, history has been interpreted not only as of the power of politics but also as a basic tool for imposing justice, freedom, equality, and control of international crime.” This infers that all civilizations find their foundation in history and that insight into the present and future developments are predicted with a basis in history. E.H. Carr (1961) said that “Great history which is written illuminates insight into problems of the present”.

  Application of history to modern principles of living is the key to consciousness and the awakening to change. Carr (1961) notes that “Modern man is to unprecedented degree self-conscious and therefore conscious of history”. As we act and create ourselves, we do so on the basis of our history, meaning, and self-fulfillment (Huxen, 2006). Historical studies are vital for the purposes of prediction. According to a historical philosopher Collingwood (1946), the work of historians is to have knowledge of the past, not the future; but utilize such knowledge to determine advancing occurrences.

Carr (1961) also adds that “The question of prediction lies in history by bringing a distinction between the general and specific, the universal and unique. As a historian is bound to generalize, this way he provides a general guideline for future action which, though not specific predictions, they are both valid and useful.” Historical studies, therefore, provide a basis for understanding the uniqueness of past occurrences which historians utilize to predict the future. This is similar to the scientific methods where the testing of observation is used to yield results and therefore yielding a conclusion.

The only difference is that in history, the data or information cannot be replicated. What has happened already happens? Prediction through history gives a basic insight into the role of human nature, it enlightens the society both individually and communally and it provides a political interpretation of the future (Huxen, 2006).