HISTORY: AN AFFIRMATION AND NEGATION OF HUMAN EXPERIENCE TOWARDS FREEDOM: A Critique To Hegel's Conception of History

(This is a thinkpiece written by yours truly during my fourth year Political Science on Democratic theory, I got a 99% on this one.)

The rise of Modernity seems to have changed the nature of Philosophy as well as Political Thought. From a highly idealist and mystifying conception to a physical and empirical use of reason to discovering truths according to the line of reasoning; but the objectives of Philosophy and Political Thought remains and that is to be able to know the "ultimate causes of all things".

The coming of tge Age of Enlightenment also gave rise to a new set of values, beliefs, methodologies and thoughts on Political Thinking. One of these methodologies is the use of History to be able to determine the ultimate end of the evolution of human societies and human experience.

This work would like to present you the theory of History by Hegel and its critique in line with the arguments of Alexis de Tocqueville, John Stuart Mill and Karl Marx. All of these writers affirm in the succession of history but criticizes the end product of it which is freedom.

To Hegel, History is about the movement of freedom throughout the experience of man. Hegel, divided History into three parts: first, a world where only one is free and that is the ruler and he has all the power to exploit his subjects who are not free, this was taken as an example from Oriental societies; second, wehre only few are free, this was taken in a European society whre only the nobles are free; and third, Freedom in a large-scale, Hegel pertains to a society where freedom is dispersed not just to the powerful but also to those that are subjected to these powers. Hegel sees History in this manner which is Dialectical. It is an improvement based on human experience.

Hegel's philosophy as applied to history, particaularly the creation of European societies and European nation-states, we can see that it is something that is not done overnight. Like history, it is an evolutionary process. States are created "line upon line, precept upon precept". So what does account to all of these dialectical process? To Hegel, it has something to do with consciousness that is inherent to human nature. It is the desire to be free, to be recognized of their human dignity and the desire for independence, Revolutions, Democratic Values and Democratic Institutions are all evolving towards greater freedom, thus resulting to the transformation of values and beliefs.

The writers following Hegel; such as Alexis de Tocqueville, John Sutart Mill, Edmund Burke and Thomas Paine affirms to what Hegel had asserted and that societies are moving towards greater freedom. The French Rvolution, Democratic Values in America, Values that gives emphasis on Liberty, Equality and Human Rights are signs that are geared towards the age of democracy and greater freedom. So what kind of society does Hegel foresee towards a greater freedom? It is a Democratic Socity? Is it Independence? Democracy and Independence are something that is consistent to human nature and so does the consciousness of man. They are consistent with each other.

speeches

http://trumanlibrary.org/annan.htm

http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=2357

Our Human Condition

Sometimes we tend to ask our position and purpose in the universe, this is the condition where man can think outside and apart from his position, the capacity to think of someplace else other than the one which he/she stands right now.

Animals do not have this capacity and that only rational beings could truly think as such.

If we have the capacity to be in someplace other than this, then truly that is power, that is the condition in which we are capable.

Because of the effects of the fall we too can rise from sin, misery and even death, that is the condition in which we are also capable of doing.

Rise from sin.

Our current condition is that we are subject to sin and that we too are subject to temptations, urges, passions and natural tendencies which may seem we are not in full control.

So how can we rise to the conditions brought about by the fall? and how can we rise from these urges and natural tendencies that we have?

Revelation

Just last night I had to catch up with an old friend, he was my classmate in college. We was intelligent and idealistic. He just finished taking the bar exams. He seems happy and fulfilled.

As I look back in my life and ponder the things that I have done previously, I don't feel fulfilled and I feel miserable. What have I done this past four years.

Just then the answer came, all this time I have been denying myself of what I should and should become. I will be a lawyer, it doesn't matter what school it is, what matters is the kind of learning I would receive. Help me God! I know this is what you want me to become.

New Important Dates

October 14, 2007 - we made it official

June 14 - we are engaged

monthsary is on the 14th hehehe