Editorial: Unpredictability, Contingency and Counterfactuals

Wenzlhuemer, Roland

German Title: Unvorhersehbarkeit, Kontingenz und das Kontrafaktische

In: Wenzlhuemer, Roland (Hrsg.): Counterfactual Thinking as a Scientific Method. Special Issue of Historical Social Research. Köln, Center for Historical Social Research 2009, pp. 9-15

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DOI: 10.11588/heidok.00019674
URN: urn:nbn:de:bsz:16-heidok-196740
URL: http://www.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/archiv/19674

Abstract

While it has always been present in our everyday-life practices, counterfactual thinking currently stages a comeback as a scientific method. Of late, a renewed interest in counterfactuals can be witnessed in academic disciplines that have traditionally been suspicious of studying events or processes that have never happened (and will never happen). Is it mere coincidence that an impressive number of unconnected initiatives have started to re-discuss counterfactual thinking at the same time? Or are we living through times that somehow foster such a renewed interest in unpredictability, contingency and counterfactuals?

Document type:	Book Section
Editor:	Wenzlhuemer, Roland
Title of Book:	Counterfactual Thinking as a Scientific Method. Special Issue of Historical Social Research
Publisher:	Center for Historical Social Research
Place of Publication:	Köln
Date Deposited:	21 Oct 2015 13:29
Date:	2009
Page Range:	pp. 9-15
Faculties / Institutes:	Philosophische Fakultät > Historisches Seminar
DDC-classification:	900 Geography and history
Controlled Keywords:	Kontingenz, Kontrafaktizität
Uncontrolled Keywords:	contingency, counterfactual thinking