Ever since 1942, when Carl Hempel declared that historical events are explained by subsuming them under laws governing the occurrence of similar events, philosophers have debated the validity of explanations based on "covering laws." In The Logic of Historical Explanation, Clayton Roberts provides a key to understanding the role of covering laws in historical explanation. He does so by distinguishing between their use at the macro- and micro- levels, a distinction that no other scholar has made.
Roberts contends that the positivists were right to believe that covering laws...
Ever since 1942, when Carl Hempel declared that historical events are explained by subsuming them under laws governing the occurrence of similar ev...
Professor Clayton Roberts opens his book with the assertion that the responsibilities assumed by Sir Robert Walpole as the leading minister of George I differed markedly from those borne by Lord Burghley as the most trusted servant of Queen Elizabeth. Walpole assumed responsibility for the advice upon which the King acted, and answered to Parliament for the wisdom as well as the legality of that advice. Lord Burghley had claimed no such responsibility for the counsels upon which the Queen acted. If necessary Lord Burghley could plead the Queen's commands to justify his actions; Walpole knew...
Professor Clayton Roberts opens his book with the assertion that the responsibilities assumed by Sir Robert Walpole as the leading minister of George ...
