"The great man theory is an approach to the study of history popularized in the 19th century according to which history can be largely explained by the impact of great men, or heroes."
The idea that history is primarily shaped by the actions of individuals or 'great men.'.
Introduction to the Great Man Theory: An overview of the theory's main concepts, history, and relevance in various fields of study.
Biographical Analysis: An examination of individual biographies and how they contribute to the understanding of the Great Man Theory, and how biographical evidence supports or negates the theory.
Historical Examples of Great Men: An analysis of the impact of historical figures like Napoleon Bonaparte, Julius Caesar, or Martin Luther King Jr. in shaping history according to the Great Man Theory.
Influential Writers on the Great Man Theory: An exploration of the works of influential philosophers, thinkers, and other scholars and their contributions to the growth and development of the Great Man Theory.
Critics of the Great Man Theory: Criticism and evaluation of criticisms of the Great Man Theory by scholars in various disciplines, including history, sociology, and political science.
Contextual Factors: How the context in which a great man emerges is relevant to the Great Man Theory, and how it influences the work done by great men or women.
Nature vs. Nurture: The debate about the role of nature and nurture in the emergence of great men or women, and how this debate affects the Great Man Theory.
Succession and Legacy: Understanding the legacy of a great man or woman in terms of succession or continuation of the work they started.
Gender and the Great Man Theory: An exploration of gender issues in the Great Man Theory and its impact on the study of history from the perspective of women’s roles in shaping history.
The Great Man Theory in Contemporary Times: An overview of the usefulness and relevance of the Great Man Theory in modern contexts, such as business, politics, and contemporary culture.
Theoretical Linkages: An examination of the interconnectedness of the Great Man Theory with other theories and concepts, such as individualism, determinism, and free will.
Cultural Perspectives: Exploring how cultural influences shape the emergence of great men or women and how this relates to the Great Man Theory.
Postmodern Critiques: An exploration of the relevance and critiques of postmodernism on the Great Man Theory, and how postmodern thought challenges the importance of traditional heroes.
Influence on Psychology: An exploration of how the Great Man Theory influenced psychology, particularly in the study of leadership and personality.
Future Directions: An exploration of future directions for the Great Man Theory, including how it can evolve and incorporate contemporary perspectives, issues, and approaches to historical analysis.
"They were the leaders of men, these great ones; the modellers, patterns, and in a wide sense creators, of whatsoever the general mass of men contrived to do or to attain."
"The theory is primarily attributed to the Scottish essayist, historian, and philosopher Thomas Carlyle."
"Lectures on heroism in 1840, later published as On Heroes, Hero-Worship, & the Heroic in History."
"Universal History, the history of what man has accomplished in this world, is at bottom the History of the Great Men who have worked here."
"Superior intellect, heroic courage, extraordinary leadership abilities, or divine inspiration."
"They have a decisive historical effect."
"All things that we see standing accomplished in the world are properly the outer material result, the practical realization and embodiment, of Thoughts that dwelt in the Great Men sent into the world."
"The great man theory is usually contrasted with "history from below," which emphasizes the life of the masses creating overwhelming waves of smaller events which carry leaders along with them."
"Another contrasting school is historical materialism."
"The soul of the whole world's history, it may justly be considered, were the history of these."
"They were the leaders of men, these great ones; the modellers, patterns, and in a wide sense creators, of whatsoever the general mass of men contrived to do or to attain."
"Explaining history by the impact of great men, or heroes."
"They were the leaders of men, these great ones; the modellers, patterns, and in a wide sense creators, of whatsoever the general mass of men contrived to do or to attain."
"Superior intellect, heroic courage, extraordinary leadership abilities, or divine inspiration."
"In the 19th century."
"Emphasizes the life of the masses creating overwhelming waves of smaller events which carry leaders along with them."
"The impact of great men, or heroes."
"Thomas Carlyle, the Scottish essayist, historian, and philosopher."
"On Heroes, Hero-Worship, & the Heroic in History."