This paper sets out a particular concept of intellectual history for discussion and debate concerning the guidelines for our project for the International Dictionary of Intellectual Historians. First let me advance the idea that intellectual history is written everywhere, not only in West European countries, where it emerged, but in East European countries, too, and second that it really is a concept that applies not just to Europe alone but to the whole world, although this suggestion will vastly complicate our notions of intellectual history.

This paper sets out a particular concept of intellectual history for discussion and debate concerning the guidelines for our project for the International Dictionary of Intellectual Historians. First let me advance the idea that intellectual history is written everywhere, not only in West European countries, where it emerged, but in East European countries, too, and second that it really is a concept that applies not just to Europe alone but to the whole world, although this suggestion will vastly complicate our notions of intellectual history.