Gefühle im „Zeitalter der Reizsamkeit“

Zur Geschichte der Emotionsgeschichte in der langen Jahrhundertwende

Abstract

This article discusses the historiography of the cultural historian Karl Lamprecht (1856–1915), a key figure in the interdisciplinary ‘Leipzig School’ school of thought at the turn of the century. It shows the complex scientific and socio-political upheavals during which reflections on feelings occurred, alongside the politics that unfolded. Even though Lamprecht’s psychologically informed approach to history incorporated emotions, it did not inspire long-term engagement with the study of the history of emotions. However, his widely read work fostered continued interest in the subject of feelings. Lamprecht’s examination of emotions is therefore not only an example of the temporality of historical thought. The controversial nature of his work within the discipline, coupled with its broad public resonance, invites us to reflect more intensely on the relationship between the conception of history and public reception.