On prudence and occasion: history as an answer to the ethical contradiction of the modern reason

Abstract

This essay takes as its starting point the contemporary criticism of historical knowledge, specially the fact that it has a specialized and fragmented character which deprives it of any practical usefulness. This is associated with Heidegger’s criticism of Kant’s theory, developed at the University of Marburg. The main assumption underlying this contribution is that this condition of historical knowledge is a manifestation of modern rationality. Yet history in the past was able to conciliate pragmatism with specialized knowledge, as evidenced by the ancient cult of prudence. Regarding methodology, this article thus, combines approaches from intellectual history with cultural history bringing in elements from European pictorial and literary traditions.