Hegel's Philosophy of History

History is central to Hegel's conception of philosophy. According to Hegel, there are three kinds of history: original, reflective and philosophical history or history of philosophy which is preferred by him to the formers. Reason is the sovereign ruler of the world, conseqently the history of the world presents us with a rational and necessary process and not a contingent one. The subject matter of philosophical history is the Spirit. Spirit is a self - conscious and free substance and in it historical course becomes aware of it's own freedom. Every nation has a Spirit which is an event in realization of World - Spirit. World -Spirit is developed by passions of world-historical individuals. They realize a new epoch and more advanced stage of freedom and self- consciousness. Hegel divides world history into the oriental, classical, and Germanic worlds.