The theory and philosophy of history : global variations Philosophy of history theory of history and historical theory are three existing labels that are sometimes but not always treated as synonyms.1 Each of these has been used by both historians and philosophers to define a specific field of inquiry which entailed its own approaches methods concepts and problems as well as specific venues and audiences though these often overlap each other. As such it is difficult to state clearly which label has been used by which community for what ends The traditional (hi)stories of the theory and philosophy of history Theory and philosophy of history beyond the West Towards an inclusive definition.