Gustav Shpet on the Function of Understanding History - a podcast by MCMP Team

Elena Tatievskaya (Augsburg) gives a talk at the MCMP Colloquium (4 November, 2015) titled "Gustav Shpet on the Function of Understanding History". Abstract: I discuss the question whether the method of history can be characterized with the help of the concept of understanding without reference to empathy. I consider as an argument for such a possibility Shpet’s (1879-1937) “logic of history”. Its formulation is based upon the assumption that the subject matter of history defines the peculiarities of its methods. According to Shpet history deals with “organizations which function as “messages”. The meaning of such a message is an end-means-relation to be defined. Therefore understanding which is an instrument of historical cognition and fulfills the task of concept formation is directed to objects which have semiotic nature. Historical concepts differ from concepts of natural sciences and are formulated in the form of descriptions used to explain an individual historical change by means of a theory.

Further episodes of MCMP

Further podcasts by MCMP Team

Website of MCMP Team