Historicism and Its Problems

“Praise for Historicism and Its Problems After more than a hundred years, English-language readers now have access to Ernst Troeltsch’s magisterial excursion through the philosophy of history. While Troeltsch intended the book to be the first of two volumes, his early death meant that it became almost his last word on the critical and constructive work necessary to live the ethical life in the modern world. This fluent, reliable, and readable translation will mean that a new generation of readers might rediscover the importance of historical consciousness in pursuing the project of democracy. In a highly polarized world of sound bites that is so often deprived of any sense of historical nuance, Troeltsch’s undogmatic method of compromise and pragmatism offers an alternative to the empty certainties of so much of what passes for political discourse today. The translators are to be congratulated for their persistence in ensuring that this vital work has finally seen the light of day. One can only hope that readers will put its principles into practice to help save democracy and the rule of law.”

The Reverend Canon Professor Mark D. Chapman

“of grim and monstrous force,” and his writings always sought, in one form or another, to overcome these threats with a vision of meaningfulness. Nowhere is his achievement more apparent than in this final great work. Historicism and Its Problems examines how the unavoidable modern consciousness of our varied and broken histories challenges our sense of unity and purpose. The grand theories of two previous centuries sought a way beyond this impasse with only partial success, but the problems of relativism and skepticism remained. In response, Troeltsch calls his readers, both in his own lifetime and today, to a common task of cultural synthesis, which involves risk, courage, and faith.”

Evan F. Kuehn