Diogenes z parasolem
Diogenes with an Umbrella

On the Regime of Anachronism

Summary/Abstract: Hermeneutically, anachronism remains an inalienable mechanism for revitalizing historicalconsciousness, drawing its strength from its prohibition. The article demonstratesthis through three examples. The fear of anachronism governs M. Oakeshott’s theoryof historical narrative, which leads to the idea of historical change devoid of subject.According to H. G. Gadamer, there are two distinct, hardly reconcilable ways of dealingwith the threat of anachronism: the idea of the classical (das Klassische) and the principleof history of effect (Das Prinzip der Wirkungsgeschichte). In turn, Jacques Rancière rejectsanachronism as an anti-historical force. The threat of anachronism surfaces when time isno longer the space for events to happen but, in turn, establishes structural conditions fortheir possible occurrence. On the contrary, Rancière believes that the vehicle of historicalchange can only be insubordinate subjects, not structural laws.

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