Published online by Cambridge University Press: 14 March 2022
The basic issues which this paper will be concerned with are: how has history been defined, what has been asked about history, and what sort of answers have been found. These questions may also be stated as: what is the nature of historical theory (since “theory” here will mean any set of definitions, assumptions, and operating hypotheses) and how do different theories affect what may “be done” with history.
I am indebted to the following who have been kind enough to read and comment on this paper: Cora DuBois, Clifford and Hildreth Geertz, Arnold Green, John and Ann Fisher, Robert LeVine, and David Schneider. I am also indebted to my wife, Audrey R. Swartz for considerable assistance in the preparation of the manuscript.