Philosophy of History: From Prehistory to Artificial Intelligence
Part II
Author: Farhat A. Hussain
Portrait: 240 mm height x 170 mm width
pp. 680 (this information will be updated)
Hardback: 978-1-0686653-6-3
UK: £49.99
Details of EU and worldwide prices, institutional rate, other formats and publication date to follow.
Also referred to as ‘The Blue Book’ and comprising volumes 1-2 of a 9-volume series by the author, Part II of this two-part study extends the brief of the aims and scope in Part I of this work. Part II critically addresses the philosophy of history and historical thought in the nineteenth century, including a substantive number of historians of Germany who engaged in historicism, Romanticism and nationalism. The aims, scope, contents and impact of this work are addressed, as are limitations in contrast to the cosmopolitan history (CoH) approach of the author. Often absent in many European-authored and published studies of this field, the historical thought of the United States, from its inception to the twenty-first century, is explored, including its relevance to Western Europe during the twentieth century. The works of various notable historians, philosophers and thinkers of the twentieth century are addressed, including the French Annales ‘School’, Jacques Maritain, Martin Heidegger and Arnold J. Toynbee, in addition to the work of Jean-Paul Sartre, Mohandas Gandhi, Thomas Kuhn and Michel Foucault. There follows a survey of the twenty-first century that examines trends in historical thought and new developments, especially Artificial Intelligence. A substantive supplementary study follows that explores key themes such as teleology since ancient times, linear theories, including the work of Hegel, Comte and the subject of Whig history, cyclical theories and cultural theory, including the work of Jacob Burckhardt, Johan Huizinga and Oswald Spengler. Hero or Great Man Theory, Racial theory, post-colonial theory, historical realism, historical anti-representationalism and world, global and transnational history are addressed on their own terms and via the critical lens of the Cosmopolitan History approach of the author.
Extending the scope and approach of Parts 1 and 2 (vols. 1 and 2), the final section of this study introduces, outlines, codifies and establishes the field, approach and framework of cosmopolitan history (CoH) of the author absent in the approaches to history and cosmopolitan history of preceding thinkers such as Kant, Hegel and Herder and others addressed in this 2 volume work. Ontology, epistemology, and influence on both, fundamental questions about what an archaeological artefact and what a historical source are, reliability and truthfulness, changes in rationality, fraternity, pedagogy, predictability and unpredictability, the correspondence of time and space and other notable issues and areas are addressed. The many benefits of this approach are outlined and demonstrated including as a valuable lens through which to study the history of the philosophy of history and the history of historical thought, the work of historians and thinkers of the past and present, the nature, limitations and impact of isolated approaches to history, identifying and analysing a vital dynamic in history, especially the history of civilization and the story of the human race, the multifarious benefits of engaging with positive links between and amongst people of divergent backgrounds, including cultures and civilizations in history, whilst also acknowledging the negative interactions in history. Attention is provided to the particular, including values in place and time, that require adequate acknowledgement of a key factor in history that has made its impact on people, place and phenomena. Therefore, this work upholds the vital role of people, rulers, nation, faith, culture and civilization in history whilst also highlighting the enriching role of positive interactions between and amongst people of different cultures and civilizations in history as a key vehicle for change and advancement, whether concerning medicine, science, art, architecture, knowledge, ideas and much else, further elaborated on in subsequent volumes in this series and the wider work of the author.
In addressing the nuance and dynamism that is entailed and emerges from this framework and approach, the author has emphasised the role of the translation of culture, as a key vehicle in change and advancement of place, people, state, culture and civilization, as evident in the history of art, architecture, mathematics, chemistry, science, pharmacy, pharmacology, medicine, language, economy and commerce, textiles, colour, military history, the history of organisations, corporate bodies and institutions, and much else. The author shares some of his pioneering work in proximity in history [vastly extended in the book by the author as part of this series and entitled ‘Proximity in History’] and Chains of Knowledge, including social epistemology, networks, proofs, synergies and various other issues and phenomena. These fields also contribute to the knowledge and understanding present in this book. Of foundational and practical benefit to the reader in the study of history and insight into the present in a range of contexts, this Part and Part 1 provide considerable knowledge and understanding. Both Parts 1 and 2 will aid in engaging with the subsequent seven volumes in this series and acquire a dynamic and critical insight into a vastly underrepresented aspect of history and the present, of value and utility in the present and the future in a cosmopolitan age where people of different backgrounds are increasingly interacting with one another at local, national and global scales in a vast range of contexts. Awareness of the cosmopolitan history of the world will contribute substantively to better identifying with and engaging with fellow members of society and fellow human beings across the world at personal, work and professional, diplomatic and many other contexts and will contribute to harmony, security and advancement.
Of value to readers, educational institutions, organisations in the private and state sectors, society and the wider world in the twenty-first century, this work comprises a considerable contribution to knowledge and understanding at a variety of scales and contexts of the past and present. This two-part publication explores a fascinating yet relatively neglected aspect of history and historical studies imaginatively and powerfully. Valuable insights into a substantive number of persons, places, subtle, substantive and often interlinked phenomena, developments, approaches and thought are provided. Commonality and uniqueness in history are demonstrated via an overview and in-depth examination of historians and issues explored and analysed across human history. The role of the translation of culture, especially the modifications in meaning and form of words, knowledge, ideas, material culture and phenomena, is celebrated as a notable facet of the human story. The potential, relevance and challenges of Artificial Intelligence are explored and discussed. Identifying and celebrating past synergies, this study contributes to establishing, developing and strengthening those of the present and future in a vast range of fields, contexts and scales. Addressing the twenty-first century, this significant scholarship contributes to valuable cross-fertilisation of knowledge, understanding, time, place, people, organisations, bodies, states and phenomena. Reflective of its scope, method, content and utility, this work is much anticipated by academics, students, professionals, members of the broader public across society and the world. Speaking to various prominent and subtle issues relevant to the complexity of the twenty-first century, this two-part study and nine-volume series takes the reader on a unique odyssey of knowledge and understanding and forges considerable fraternity with the human race and its dynamic story.