According to AC, serious historical inquiry incorrectly considers the question *what if* to be the turf of Philip K. Dick or comic book titles like *What if the Incredible Hulk Had the Brain of Bruce Banner?* Although historians were not in the business of assigning probabilities to historical events, AC opined they should. 'Look, chum, he once expounded, 'it's not like anything can happen at any time. You have to consider *conditions of possibility*.
AC argues that conventional historical inquiry dismisses the consideration of "what if" scenarios, suggesting this approach is more suitable for science fiction or comic books. He contends that historians should engage with these hypothetical questions, rather than avoiding them. Such inquiries could yield valuable insights into historical events and their probabilities.
He emphasizes that while historians typically refrain from speculating about alternate outcomes, they should focus on the "conditions of possibility." This perspective challenges the traditional boundaries of historical analysis and advocates for a more nuanced exploration of historical narratives.
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All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
Race of Cain, ascend to heaven, And cast God down upon the earth!
