This week, ending in September 24 2015:
Today's thread is for open discussion of:
History in the academy
Historiographical disputes, debates and rivalries
Implications of historical theory both abstractly and in application
Philosophy of history
And so on
Regular participants in the Thursday threads should just keep doing what they've been doing; newcomers should take notice that this thread is meant for open discussion only of matters like those above, not just anything you like -- we'll have a thread on Friday for that, as usual.
What is the effect of philosophy of history on the practice of history? I have taught philosophy of history to history undergraduates and it's great fun but really is it pertinent for an historian?
I ask because in philosophy, any ideas like progress and the like are important. Even if they don't matter, the perception of progress (or regress or chaos or whatever) is for a phenomenologist such as me and it makes sense that it would be pertinent philosophically. But other than general knowledge and interest, does any of the historians see the value in it?