On Breaking Up Time, or, Perennialism as Philosophy of History

Published In

Journal of the Philosophy of History

Document Type

Citation

Publication Date

2018

Abstract

Current and recent philosophy of history contemplates a deep change in fundamental notions of the presence of the past. This is called breaking up time. The chief value for this change is enhancing the moral reach of historical research and writing. However, the materialist view of reality that most historians hold cannot support this approach. The origin of the notion in the thought of Walter Benjamin is suggested. I propose a neo-idealist approach called perennialism, centered on recurrent moral dilemmas and choices. This suggests a view of the relations of moral thought and ontology placed in the diachronic context that historians study.

Locate the Document

https://doi.org/10.1163/18722636-12341334

DOI

10.1163/18722636-12341334

Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/25559

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