Now in its third edition, Narration and Knowledge is a classic work
exploring the nature of historical knowledge and its reliance on
narrative. Analytical philosopher Arthur C. Danto introduces the concept
of "narrative sentences," in which an event is described with reference
to later events (for example, "the Thirty Years' War began in 1618") and
discusses why such sentences cannot be understood until the later event
happens (no one could have said in 1618 that "the Thirty Years' War
began today"). Danto compares narrative and scientific explanation and
explores the legitimacy of historical laws. He also argues that history
is an autonomous and humanist discipline incapable of being reduced to
scientific descriptions.
Lydia Goehr's new introduction illustrates Danto's main arguments by
questioning her very role, first, as an introducer of a book that has
not yet been read by readers and, second, as an interpreter of a book
written forty years ago. Frank Ankersmit's conclusion revisits the
initial impact of the publication of Narration and Knowledge and
considers its enduring legacy.