Abstract
Historical explanation is an ambiguous concept. Historical narratives usually aim for a mixture of causal and interpretative understanding. In this essay the author uses an article, written with Azadeh Achbari, that seekstoanswerthequestionofhowaDutchme-teorological rule of thumb was eventually turned into a law of nature. Part of the answer is found in the sudden British need for a scientific basis for the controversial practice of storm warnings. Clearly, this causal explanation hinges on the contemporary meaning of the concept “law of nature.” Finally, the author discusses and rejects the recent tendency among historians to dismiss all causal analysis as fruitless.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 321-324 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Isis |
| Volume | 110 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jun 2019 |
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Historical explanation and causality. / van Lunteren, Frans.
In: Isis, Vol. 110, No. 2, 01.06.2019, p. 321-324.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - Historical explanation and causality
AU - van Lunteren, Frans
PY - 2019/6/1
Y1 - 2019/6/1
N2 - Historical explanation is an ambiguous concept. Historical narratives usually aim for a mixture of causal and interpretative understanding. In this essay the author uses an article, written with Azadeh Achbari, that seekstoanswerthequestionofhowaDutchme-teorological rule of thumb was eventually turned into a law of nature. Part of the answer is found in the sudden British need for a scientific basis for the controversial practice of storm warnings. Clearly, this causal explanation hinges on the contemporary meaning of the concept “law of nature.” Finally, the author discusses and rejects the recent tendency among historians to dismiss all causal analysis as fruitless.
AB - Historical explanation is an ambiguous concept. Historical narratives usually aim for a mixture of causal and interpretative understanding. In this essay the author uses an article, written with Azadeh Achbari, that seekstoanswerthequestionofhowaDutchme-teorological rule of thumb was eventually turned into a law of nature. Part of the answer is found in the sudden British need for a scientific basis for the controversial practice of storm warnings. Clearly, this causal explanation hinges on the contemporary meaning of the concept “law of nature.” Finally, the author discusses and rejects the recent tendency among historians to dismiss all causal analysis as fruitless.
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85066145700&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1086/703333
DO - 10.1086/703333
M3 - Article
VL - 110
SP - 321
EP - 324
JO - Isis
JF - Isis
SN - 0021-1753
IS - 2
ER -