History as Thought and Action

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This is the first book-length study of the relationship between Benedetto Croce (1866-1952), Giovanni Gentile (1875-1944), Guido de Ruggiero (1888-1948) and Robin George Collingwood (1889-1943). Though the relationship between these highly influential philosophers has often been discussed, it has never been studied comprehensively. On the basis of published and unpublished writings this study carefully reconstructs their debate on the relationship between thought and action, following their explorations of art, history, philosophy and action in the context of the First World War and the rise of Fascism and Nazism. This book unveils the hidden past of contemporary philosophy of history and divulges the last secret of Collingwood's Italian connection. Dr Rik Peters is Senior Lecturer in the Department of History at the University of Groningen.
Dec 1, 2014

Source: Rethinking History 18:4

Credit: Christopher Fear

"It is certainly to the benefit of Collingwood scholars to have such an account finally collected together in one place...Peters' main point is...that Collingwood is not as deeply indebted for his doctrines to the Italians named in the title as many contemporary historians of ideas assume...(Peters') reward is the knowledge that History as Thought and Action will stand as the authoritative statement on Collingwood's relation to Italian philosophy for many years."

Credit: Hayden White, University of California

"This book is a model for a proper intellectual history… It is learned, rigorous, complex, and detailed… Gentile's thought is finally given its due and De Ruggiero gets the kind of sympathetic treatment long overdue in the Anglophone world… [T]his is not only an original contribution to philosophy of history but also to the philosophy of the history of ideas. Impressive."

Feb 4, 2014

http://www.the-philosopher.co.uk/reviews/peters-rvw.htm

Source: The Philosopher

Credit: Martin Cohen

"[C]ontains within it some fairly controversial new insights into philosophy's long-running love affair with state power… What Peters brings to the table is a new and original analysis of the personal stories and intellectual debates that went on in the early years in Italy, when 'fascism' was still, essentially, a matter for metaphysicians to wrangle about."

Jul 15, 2016

Source: Journal of the History of Philosophy

Credit: David Boucher, Cardiff University

"[A] meticulously researched and scholarly adventure into the philosophical complexities of intellectual interactions… the principal aim of the book is to bring into focus the crucial role, not influence, that the Italians had in the development of Collingwood's thought… The originality and value of the enterprise is that Peters demonstrates, with strong, evidentially based arguments, not at what points the thinkers agree, but instead how the conclusions that each reached gave rise to new
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problems for the others. The argument is philosophically sophisticated and thoroughly grounded in published material, marginalia, and extensive correspondence… This book is a model of scholarship and has an immense value for anyone interested in the development of philosophical ideas and their relationship to each other beyond mere influence or imitation."

Jul 1, 2014

Source: Collingwood and British Idealism Studies

Credit: James Wakefield

"I know of no author as qualified as Rik Peters to take on the monumental task of History as Thought and Action. His considerable knowledge and understanding of the idealist literature, as well as his years of reflection on the historical and philosphical problems elaborated in the book, is demonstrated on every page.... These qualities, together with the clarity of Peters' prose and the breadth of his reading, ensure that the book will remain instructive to novices and interesting to experts for years to come."
Hardcover
- Publication Date: 01 December 2013
- ISBN-13: 9781845402440
- Extent: Main content page count : 400
- Code: 1845402448
- Dimensions: 15.6 x 23.4 x 2.3 cm
- Weight: 800 grams
- List Price: £30.00
- ONIX Version 2.1, Version 3

Details

Title: History as Thought and Action
Subtitle: The Philosophies of Croce, Gentile, de Ruggiero and Collingwood
Author: Rik Peters
Collection: British Idealist Studies, Series 2: Collingwood
Language: English
Publisher: Imprint Academic
Imprint: Imprint Academic

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