Plausible Worlds: Possibility and Understanding in History and the Social Sciences

Possibilities haunt history. The force of our explanations of events turns on the alternative possibilities these explanations suggest. It is these possible worlds which give us our understanding; and in human affairs we decide them by practical rather than theoretical judgement. In his widely acclaimed account of the role of counterfactuals in explanation, Geoffrey Hawthorn deploys extended examples from history and modern times to defend his argument. His conclusions cast doubt on existing assumptions about the nature and place of theory, and indeed of the possibility of knowledge itself, in the human sciences.

• Real historical examples used to explore alternative outcomes and implications for our explanations of what happened/might have • Examples range from early modern Europe to early Renaissance painting to US activity in Korea • Presents new theoretical model for approaching history and the social sciences

1. Counterfactuals, explanation and understanding; 2. Plague and fertility in early modern Europe; 3. The United States in South Korea; 4. Duccio’s painting; 5. Explanation, understanding and theory.

‘Hawthorn’s Plausible Worlds is not only a good read, filled with all sorts of fascinating information, but a book that raises very large and interesting questions about the nature of explanation in the human sciences. I found his answers to the questions persuasive.’

– Richard Rorty

‘This volume is a marvelously stimulating and thought provoking work. It ought to be on the reading lists of advanced courses on both the theory and the methodology of history writing.’

– Allan Megill, American Historical Review