historiology

Historiology [Historie  ] derives from the Greek ἱστορεῖν [istorein] = to recount [erzählen], report [berichten], inquire [erkunden]. And in fact inquiring about something that is present-at-hand   [vorhanden]. In the course of its evolution, the concept gained the sense of an inquiry concerning something already there before us, and finally of an inquiry into that which is already past [Erkundung des Vergangenen], and it has maintained this sense. Through the centuries this inquiry into the past became a science, which, as a science, elaborates specific technical procedures in order to bring back what is past [Beibringung des Vergangenen]. This is what characterises HISTORIOLOGY. Passing into the field of general culture it becomes an element of “education” [Bildung  ]. [GA46  :261-262; tr. Haase & Sinclair]