The prevalence of Johann Gustav Droysen nowadays: a short history of interpretations of his work, and how he has been dismissed

Abstract

Droysen is na author whose theoretical importance has not been properly evaluated by the traditional studies in history of historiography and philosophy and theory of history. In this study, its importance in present age will be questioned through the misinterpretations of german historicism (mainly by Benjamin and Lukács), which led Droysen ́s work to ostracism, and further by the reduction of his work (Gadamer). Finally, it will be exposed how Jörn Rüsen ́s theories are deeply influenced by Droysen.