History, Evidence And Imagination

R.G.Collingwood(1889-1943)who was misunderstood in 20th century, is an important prolific philosopher, historian and archaeologist. Embracing abundant and elastic thought, he promoted and led a critical and analytic research style when the transformation arose out of philosophy of history.On the contrary, lots of thinkers was still obsessed with grand theories of history. He was adhering to the historical tradition of rational thinking, and built a historical system of rational criticism, which was different from the speculative philosophy of history. Working at a rapprochement between philosophy and history, Collingwood pursued his empirical stduies of archeology and the history of Roman Britain. We are excited that Collingwood's unpublished manuscripts and works have been published, which have aroused the interest of the researchers to explore his historical theory and practice. For domestic researcher, they have produced lots of texts. Unfortunately, The new achievements which Western scholars have made are not their subjects. Absorbing critically them, we may have a systematic approach to re-evaluating his contribution of history, philosophy and practical significance.Under the influence of "Linguistic Turn", Many philosophers of history in 1970s have turned their attentions mainly to the narrative text of historiography. The historical narrative level of aesthetic, rhetoric and ethical, which are important areas of their thinking. However, the narrative philosophy of history is still concerned about the historical understanding of the logic, historiography, and so on. These issues are inextricably linked with the analysis, critical philosophy of history. At the same time, the transformation of philosophy of history is also well accetped by historians. Many philosophers of history have expanded the scope of their research, including history of political thought, archaeological theory, anthropology and microhistory. there is a diverse line of historical narrative which based on practical research in philosophy of history. So, it reduces the arrogance of philosophy. More than, they also respect practice of history, which is the main features of the contemporary philosophy of history. As analysis, the critical philosopher of history, Collingwood discussed many matters of history, for example, construcive history,a priori imagination and historical evidence etc.Those questions are not only associated with the narrative philosophy of history, will also help correct the latter's theoretical ideas and logical mistakes.The terms of "history", "evidence" and "imagination" are selected as subject of my project, aimed to explain the nature of history which Collingwood has discussed.As far as the method of study is concerned, my discussion will follow the historical problem-centered, and use the historical case as the basis for my argument.As a result, I will devote myself to Collingwood's the masterpiece which is The Idea of History. My projcet will mainly deal with the following:In the first chapter, Collingwood and the western varying concept of history would be introduced Collingwood's life and writings, and the problem of his manuscripts. Focusing on the relation between Historismus and his idea of historiogaphy, I will clarify the social and ideological context which formed his philosophy of history.The second chapter would approach theory and practice of historical evidence. My topics are the function and significance of the evidence between different disciplines, which would be compared from an interdisciplinary perspective, such as focusing on the similarities and differences between history and the judicial field. My project will explore the experience which Collingwood has carried out extensive research into the archeology and history of Roman Britain. At same time, the implication of subjects will be discussed, including the logic of Question and Answer, historical facts, the objectivity and truth of historical knowledge. In addition, I will propose a new concept of "meta-evidence" which encourages us to understand historiography. As to the death of John Doe, my project, from the point of cultural history, would analysis the reason why Collingwood chosen detective novels, and explore the ethics and methodology of it. Through the study, I discovered he was very worried about Western civilization.The third chapter which will examine historical imagination and the Re-enactment of thought, is divided into four sections. I will describe the epistemological foundation of the historical imagination, and analysis the relationship between "a priori imagination" and the historical narrative. What's more, I will also identify the similarities and differences of narrative between history and fiction, so as to point out that historical knowledge encompasses the narrator's aesthetic taste and value of ethics.In the fourth chapter, my topic is the multi-constructive image of collingwood in the chinese scholars eyes.I will outline the history that Collingwood's philosophy of history was translated in china. The transmission of Collingwood's works are introduced to illustrate the fact that Chinese scholars indirectly accepted conclusions which Soviet scholars have made. At same time, my project will discuss a few important propositions that Chinese scholars are concerned about. Subsequently, The Idea of History is to be the case which I will answer the question of historic translation. The Collingwood thought of history will be explored from the angle of hermeneutics.My project, which based on the research results of scholars at home and abroad, will finally try to re-evaluate his philosophy of history.