Charles Renouvier

Charles Renouvier was a French philosopher known for his contributions to the concept of free will and the philosophy of history. He distinguished between actual events and possible alternatives, emphasizing the importance of human choices in shaping outcomes. This perspective aligns with counterfactual history, which explores "what if" scenarios—imagining how different decisions could have led to other historical realities. Renouvier’s ideas highlight the significance of individual agency and the complexity of historical narratives, suggesting that understanding history involves examining not just what happened, but also what could have happened under different circumstances.