Hegel and History

The historicism of German philosopher G. W. H. Hegel (1770-1831), asserting as it did that history has an end, freedom, towards which it necessarily progresses and that, in fact, the "end of history" had arrived in the 19th century, remains among his most controversial contributions to philosophy. Dudley (philosophy, Williams College) presents 12 essays engaging with this idea and other controversial aspects of Hegel's philosophy of history. They are presented in thematic sections that address interpretations and implications of the idea of the "end of history;" accusations of Eurocentrism and racism in Hegel's philosophy of history; the historicity of selfhood, moral imputation, ethical life, and political organization; and the relationship between religion and Hegel's history of philosophy. Annotation c2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Will Dudley is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Williams College. He is the author of Hegel, Nietzsche, and Philosophy: Thinking Freedom and Understanding German Idealism.