Histories arise from concepts: Koselleck and conceptual history

Abstract

The objective of this article is to concisely explain the objectives, methods, and challenges, which are implied in working with the Bregriffgeschichte method, or Conceptual History method, proposed by German historian Reinhart Koselleck. Firstly, we will explain the importance and meaning of “concept” as a category for the aforementioned historiographical school. Secondly, we expose some of the methodological considerations about how to manage with historical concepts and its relation with historic time and the meta-categories that Koselleck proposes in his analysis. Thirdly, this article explores the relation between Conceptual History and Social History, since, for Koselleck, it is essential to understand how these concepts developed in praxis. Finally, we will evaluate how the process of appropriation of this proposal in Latin America has been, and which epistemological limits must be overcome in Conceptual History.
overcome in Conceptual History.