History and Anti-History in Philosophy

History and Anti-History in Philosophy demonstrates the viability of the idea of the unity of philosophic thinking and the reflective practice of the history of philosophy. It is a concise in-depth history of the deconstructive turn in philosophy, and of the styles of historical and interpretive contextualization afforded by diverse schools of thought. Thematic unity arises from the focus of contributors on the historical dimension of reflection in philosophy.

History of philosophy and intellectual history come together when they are forced to practice foundational analysis, namely, when they feel the need to uncover "indubitables" of society. Indubitables are deeply held, usually unnoticed premises upon which a society or group acts, builds, and speaks. By foundational analysis, the editors do not mean the search for acceptable starting points of intellectual exploration, but the ongoing criticism of all such postulates of faith.

For those interested in contextual analysis of Kant, Hegel, Marx, Dewey, Mannheim, Husserl, Dilthey, Heidegger, and Gadamer, this is an invaluable guide. The editors make plain their belief that not using history, as have past philosophies, is unphilosophic—ideas in personal construction to a text that cannot supply reasons for being taken seriously in history. This volume illuminates the achievements of present-day social science insights. It merits a close reading by those for whom the history of ideas is a living entity.