The job of sorting out these interpretations belongs to the philosopher, particularly to the philosopher of history. History, like Poetry, makes nothing happen. I know that some of my historian friends out there may bristle at that remark. Please understand what I mean. History's main importance is that of a springboard for objectivity in other related disciplines.
Men have volition.
They can learn from the past and steer their present and future action in light of or in spite of it. But the past does not and cannot force their hand. It is in the interpretive realm, where philosophy takes her seat, that all manner of things, good and bad, begin to happen. One reason I chose this topic to close 1997 and look towards 1998 is that largely owing to a deliberately irrational philosophy, the craft of the historian was under relentless attack during this year past. I speak here but briefly of the storm of vituperation and controversy that has been raging around World War II revisionism for many a year, nay many a decade.