Philosophy of History Midterm Study Sheet – Midterm, March 12, 2015
Short answer questions. The following is a list of many of the key terms and concepts we have
discussed so far in class. Use this list to prepare for the short answer section of the midterm.
There will be 10 short answer questions on the exam, of which you are to answer 8 (5 points
each).
Bread-and-butter scholar
Universal history
Lessons from new world
4 problems in doing history
imperishable chain
historian’s task
inner causal nexus
teleological history
trends and creation of energies
structural forms
3 types of history
spirit
freedom
cunning of reason
State
Orient
Persians
Greek tragedy, democracy, sport
problems with Greek spirit
reformation
end of history
Essay question. Two of the following three will be on the midterm. You are to write an essay on
one of those two (60 points):
1. An important issue in the philosophy of history is the debate concerning the contingency
of historical events. Some argue that no event in history is accidental, that everything
happens of necessity; others take issue with this position. By focusing on the writers we
have discussed in class, detail the arguments that are made for both sides of this debate.
Which side, if any, do you find makes the most compelling argument? Explain.
2. In a number of ways, Hegel’s understanding of history develops themes that were also
found in the writings of Schiller and Humboldt. In this essay highlight the significant
places where Hegel’s philosophy of history develops points that were found in Schiller’s
and Humboldt’s texts. How does Hegel’s approach differ? Elaborate. How, finally,
might one find a Hegelian understanding of history expressed within contemporary
discourse and society?
3. Using Hegel to interpret the history of western cultures, one can claim that there is a
pendulum shift from individual to universal-centered periods of history. Discuss some of
these periods and the historical evidence Hegel and others might present to make this
case. Hegel then argues that the oscillation between individual and universal finally ends
with the state as that which embraces both the universal and the individual. Explain how
Hegel believes the State does this.