It must be observed at the outset, that the phenomenon we investigate - Universal History - belongs to the realm of Spirit. The term 'World,' includes both physical and psychical Nature. Physical Nature also plays its part in the World's History, - and attention will have to be paid to the fundamental natural relations thus involved. But Spirit, and the course of its development, is our substantial object.

The enquiry into the essential destiny of Reason - as far as it is considered in reference to the World - is identical with the question, what is the ultimate …

On the stage on which we are observing it, - Universal History - Spirit displays itself in its most concrete reality.

In history, we are concerned with what has been and what is; in philosophy, however, we are concerned not with what belongs exclusively to the past or to the f…