Another Beginning for Conceptual History: From Leibniz to Koselleck. Introduction for Eugeniusz Górski

Concha Roldan

The frequent use in philosophical literature of such concepts as “modernity” and “post-modernity” incites a more fundamental reflection on splitting history in “epochs” and “periods” as well as a philosophical consideration of the concept of “crisis”. Despite current interpretation of his thought, Leibniz displayed a set of principles, which allows historical discourse in any form it may assume. They are not only “rigid” ones, such as “progress”, “providence”, “overall harmony”, but also “fl exible”, referring to ontological, historical and anthropological pluralism (“change”, “contingence”, “freedom of choice”). Consequently, Koselleck’s analysis of the notion of crisis can be compared with Leibniz’s crypto-historical categories.

58s-rolan

Keywords: Leibniz · Koselleck · modernity · history · philosophy of history · crisis