The Hope of History: Paul Ricoeur’s Philosophy on the Uses and Abuses of History

Authors

  • Dan Stiver Семінарія Джессі К. Флетчера, United States

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29357/2789-1577.2025.23.1.1

Keywords:

Paul Ricoeur’s philosophy, memory, history, ideology

Abstract

This article investigates Paul Ricoeur’s thought on the interrelations between history, memory, and ideology, with a particular focus on the contemporary challenges of historical interpretation. It draws on Ricoeur’s hermeneutical methodology to argue that history is not a neutral or objective recounting of the past but is inevitably shaped by present perspectives and ideological forces. Central to this inquiry is the role of memory—both personal and collective—in constructing identity and informing ideological narratives, which may function either as instruments of emancipation or mechanisms of domination. The study offers a critical analysis of the ideological distortions that can arise from historical narratives, especially within contexts of political power. Furthermore, it proposes that a Christian hermeneutic contributes valuable insights into the ethical dimensions of historical engagement, particularly through the lenses of truth, justice, and reconciliation. The article ultimately advocates for a redemptive and dialogical approach to history, one that affirms the potential of narrative identity and collective memory to serve as agents of healing and social transformation in fragmented societies.

Author Biography

Dan Stiver, Семінарія Джессі К. Флетчера

Dan R. Stiver is President and Professor of the Jesse C. Fletcher Seminary (USA). He was Cook-Derrick Professor of Theology at the Logsdon School of Theology of Hardin-Simmons University from 1998 to 2019 and Professor of Christian Philosophy at Southern Baptist Seminary from 1984 to 1998. His publications include The Philosophy of Religious Language: Sign, Symbol, and Story (Blackwell, 1996), Theology after Ricoeur: New Directions in Hermeneutical Theology (Westminster John Knox, 2001), Life Together in the Way of Jesus Christ: An Introduction to Cristian Theology (Baylor, 2009), and Ricoeur and Theology (Bloomsbury T&T Clark, 2012).

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Published

2025-05-26

How to Cite

Stiver, Dan. 2025. “The Hope of History: Paul Ricoeur’s Philosophy on the Uses and Abuses of History”. Theological Reflections: Eastern European Journal of Theology 23 (1):11-25. https://doi.org/10.29357/2789-1577.2025.23.1.1.

Issue

Vol. 23 No. 1 (2025): Theological Reflections: Eastern European Journal of Theology

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Articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Dan Stiver

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