Stefan Rebenich

Mit Texten von Gottfried Gabriel, Petra Gehring, Alexandra Kemmerer, Martin Laube, Stefan Rebenich, Jochen A. Bär, Norman Sieroka, Dieter Teichert u. v. a. [...]

Dutt, Carsten: Inhalt / Vorwort.
Rebenich, Stefan: Reinhart Koselleck und die Alte Geschichte.
A tour through Reinhart Koselleck’s extensive library shows his intimacy with Greek and Latin texts, almost reminiscent of the Humanist pos [...]

Am 11. Februar 2025 jährt sich der Geburtstag Hans-Georg Gadamers zum 125. Mal. Das »Archiv für Begriffsgeschichte« nimmt das Jubiläum zum Anlass, dem Begründer der philosophischen Hermeneutik einen Schwerpunkt zu widmen. Er versammelt Be [...]

This contribution examines the evolution of historical understanding through the lens of perspectivity and interpretation, highlighting the contributions of Johann Gustav Droysen, Hans-Georg Gadamer, and contemporary debates. Droysen emphasized forschendes Verstehen (“understanding through research”) and the importance of subjectivity in historical inquiry. Gadamer, while critical of Droysen’s research-focused understanding, proposed historical interpretation as a dialogical process, culminating in the “fusion of horizons” (Horizontverschmelzung) that integrates past and present perspectives. In recent scholarship, figures like Dan-el Padilla Peralta advocate for the “decolonization” of classical studies, addressing racial biases and encouraging greater political engagement. While these efforts can enrich the discipline, critics warn of potential compromises to academic rigor. Both Gadamer and Droysen, however, stress the inseparability of historical interpretation from present contexts. Gadamer’s dialogical approach offers a nuanced framework for engaging with antiquity, resisting dogmatism while embracing the diversity of scholarly traditions. This perspective remains vital in addressing the epistemic and ethical challenges faced by modern historical sciences.