Explaining History. How History offers Explanations and establishes Causation

Essay from the year 2019 in the subject History - Basics, grade: 4.6, , language: English, abstract: This work attempts a conceptualization of Historical Explanation, and discusses its variants. It also attempts to solve the problem of significance of historical explanation by discarding the methodological view according to which the natural sciences have been solely subjected and also dispels explanation from the realm of social sciences as based solely on understanding. Rather, it supposes that an employment of both cores would produce a balance. History is often seen especially by those outside the pitch as a vague venture and as such needs no serious scholarly attention. It is against this backdrop that this study seeks to analyze History in its explanatory context. It starts with a provisional conceptualization of History and Historical explanation, analyses the link between explanation and causation in Historical parlance, and describes the variants of the said explanation. The paper concludes that Historical explanation is but a core of understanding History for its students and critics.

Afeez Tope, RAJI was born on October 13, 1989 in Osogbo, but originates from Iwo, Osun State. He holds an M.A. in Cultural History -2019 and a B.A. (Hons.) - History and International Studies - 2014 from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria. He has several works to his credit. His research interest is in the areas of Cultural Studies and Aesthetic History. He has participated in several International Academic Conferences and a number of Seminars. He is the Author of the award winning TECHNIQUES OF HISTORICAL RESEARCH AND WRITING among other titles. His research interest currently covers freelancing, cultural studies, History and literary appreciation. He is a member of the Association for the Study of the Worldwide African Diaspora (ASWAD).