Abstract

Studies in the history of philosophy of particular countries is a rarely treated topic of research. Hungarian history of philosophy, however, has been treated intensely, at least in Hungary itself. In view of the ultimately universal achievement of science and philosophy, theories of a national perspective of history of philosophy are discussed. The sketch of the cultural background of Hungarian historiography of philosophy subsequently shows a surprisingly great effort of Hungarians for independent philosophical consciousness. The extensive body of literature presented here acquaints the reader with Hungary's philosophical tradition, which was still largely unknown abroad at the time of publication in 1988. Main Parts: A. General prerequisites of national historiography of philosophy - types and forms of "national philosophy". B. Cultural-historical foundations of the Hungarian approach to the history of philosophy - "backwardness" and academic countermeasures, Hungarian as a language of science, controversy on Hegel, historicism, Marxist contemporary discussion. C. Foreign models and their reception within the domestic philosophical literature - significant histories of philosophy, the 18th century, the Kantians, present works. D. Information in foreign countries on Hungarian history of philosophy - self-representations in Western languages, philosophical exile literature, foreign observation on Hungarian philosophy.