Hegel on History, 9/11, and the War on Terror, or Reason in History

Bibliographic Data

ID6141365
AuthorsTom Rockmore (0000-0003-4446-335X, corresponding author)
Year2006
Volume2
Issue3
Pages281-298
Publication date2006-09-30
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueCultural Politics an International Journal (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1743-2197 • E-ISSN: 1751-7435
PublisherDuke University Press (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.2752/174321906778531709
OpenAlexW2169442417
LanguageEN
References cited19

The aim of this article is threefold. To begin with, I sketch in outline form some main aspects of Hegel’s theory of history. Second, I will consider in some detail its relation to theology, which is an important theme for his position in general, including his view of history. Finally, and since I believe that this theory is practically relevant, useful for our understanding of the historical world, I will apply Hegel’s theory of history to a practical contemporary problem, namely, 9/11. I argue that Hegel’s theory of history is best understood as a secular, idealist view based, not on theology, but rather on philosophical anthropology and idealist epistemology. Hegel’s approach to history as the result of human actions that are never irrational but in principle always rational helps us to understand the historical process. This theory is specifically useful in understanding the series of events leading up to and away from 9/11, including the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as the War on Terror

Epistemology · Hegelianism · Irrational number · Philosophy of history · Relation (database · Sketch · Theme (computing · Mathematics · Philosophy · Theology and Philosophy of Evil · War, Ethics, and Justification

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