Kulturgeschichte

Kulturgeschichte is a German term referring to the historical study of cultural phenomena, such as art, philosophy, and religion. This approach emphasizes the psychological factors within historical epochs and seeks a general, philosophical synthesis through the comparative study of collective psychologies.12

In late 18th-century Germany, a "new humanism" emerged, influencing scholarship, education, philosophy, and literature. This period saw a focus on understanding the spirit of the past through artistic monuments and literature, with figures like J.J. Winckelmann and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe playing significant roles. This intellectual movement contributed to German idealism, which explored ethics and aesthetics beyond empirical knowledge.34

The development of Kulturgeschichte as a school of thought in Germany was a significant contribution to the study of history, though it also sparked controversy regarding historical methods. This approach contrasts with the "culture-historical" school in Europe, which focused on diffusionism and the idea that cultures developed from a few ancient centers.25