Kant, Hegel, and Nietzsche Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Kant, Hegel, and Nietzsche - Essay Example Georg Wilhem Friedrich Hegel in his philosophy of world history expounds on the different types of history. The first is original history, which refers to the written historical account of the period in question (Hegel, Wood & Nisbet 1991). Reflective history is the second type, which is written after a certain period, based on the reflective thought and is laden with interpretation. Lastly, there is philosophic history, which tries to rationally interpret history. Through philosophic history, Hegel observes that world history is not guided by God’s plan rather it is through a rational process (Hegel, Wood & Nisbet, 1991). He expounds this in his Reason rules of history, which states that reason rules the world. Hegel’s philosophical history is based on that assumption; reason rules the world. Friedrich Nietzsche in his philosophy of history tries to explain, â€Å"how things become what they are†. His concern with history arises with its recording and emphasis by people who claim to represent the past. He opposes Hegel’s method of systemizing history and his adoption of teological themes (Mencken, 1993). In his opinion, history should be wholesome for future generations and its sole purpose is to influence the next generations. This purpose is not a choice rather it is a demand. Nietzsche is of the opinion that â€Å"the capacity to build a new future depends on our ability to see a fundamental continuity with the strengths of the past†. Kant’s moral theory states that freedom is not defined by the absence of law but being bound to laws one makes for himself (Höffe, 1994). His moral theory further states that rational human wills have freedom, that is they are autonomous. Freedom, according to Kant is autonomy where individuals lay their own laws that guide their actions. His view on individual freedom as being autonomous is derived from the