Historical Communication and Cognition as Seen in the Historiographical Concept of Frank Ankersmit

Abstract

The paper suggests that the following two components of practicing history, which combine into historical science, should be distinguished: the sphere of historical communication and the strictly scientific cognition. The fundamental differences between the two are indicated and the relationships between them in practicing history are outlined. The author stresses the significance of historical communication for strictly historical research. She believes that the communication process reveals normative ideas, which often determine the course of strictly scientific research in humanities. She argues with Ankersmit’s concept, which, in her opinion, reduces practicing historical science to just the communication sphere.