great man theory

An approach to history associated with the nineteenth-century Scottish historian Thomas Carlyle, who declared, “The history of the world is but the biography of great men.” Carlyle argued that heroes shape history through the vision of their intellect, the beauty of their art, the prowess of their leadership, and, most important, their divine inspiration.

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Carlyle's theories have generally fallen out of fashion.

Out of such partiality has inevitably grown the great man theory of human progression.

In the first place, his philosophy of history rests entirely on “the great man theory.”

She saw that they followed persons not principles, and for ‘the great man theory’ George Sand had no respect.

Thus the Great-Man-Theory of history must surely be admitted to assign a real condition of national success.

But nobody, not even the antisocialists, believes in the 'great man theory' any more.

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

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