A past of possibilities a history of what could have been / Quentin Deluermoz and Pierre Singaravélou ; translation by Stephen W. Sawyer.
| Author/creator | Deluermoz, Quentin |
| Other author | Singaravélou, Pierre. |
| Other author | Sawyer, Stephen W., 1974- |
| Format | Electronic |
| Publication Info | New Haven : Yale University Press, [2021] |
| Description | xi, 380 pages ; 25 cm |
| Supplemental Content | Full text available from Ebook Central - Academic Complete |
| Subjects |
| Uniform title | Pour une histoire des possibles. English |
| Portion of title | History of what could have been |
| Abstract | "What if history, or life, had followed a different path? What is called counterfactual reasoning occurs naturally in conversation to enrich hypotheses on the potentialities of the past and unactualized futures. It permeates literature, political thought and all forms of entertainment. What would have happened if Cleopatra's nose had been shorter? If Donald Trump had won the presidential elections in 2020? Delving into this issue, Quentin Deluermoz and Pierre Singaravélou have meticulously investigated a vast array of literature for a full grasp of the diversity in how counterfactual analysis is used--from the most bizarre uchronic fiction to the most serious scientific hypotheses. They have focused on a precise understanding of the conditions under which its use is legitimate and pertinent for history, whether social, economic or global, and more generally the social sciences, while rethinking the issues of causality and truth, and the relationships between history and fiction, determinism and contingency. Their work has gradually brought to light the rich potential of investigating the possibilities of the past and paved the way for rigorously documented experimentation in both research and education. An ambitious and innovative investigation into the writing of history, its object, and how it can be shared"-- Provided by publisher. |
| General note | "Originally published in French as "Pour une histoire des possibles: analyses contrefactuelles et futurs non advenus," © Editions du Seuil, 2016." |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (pages 307-364) and index. |
| Access restriction | Available only to authorized users. |
| Technical details | Mode of access: World Wide Web |
| Translation of | Translation of: Deluermoz, Quentin Pour une histoire des possibles Paris : Éditions du Seuil, 2016 9782021034820 |
| Genre/form | Electronic books. |
| LCCN | 2020952104 |
| ISBN | 9780300227543 (hardcover ; alk. paper) |