There is an old Eastern proverb that says: The past is now, as is the future, which, although not yet in existence, already is. According to the Eastern view of time, reality exists outside the framework of time, and what we experientially perceive as separate phases are actually parts of the simultaneous reality. This is an interesting concept that implies that the past still exists, that the present is only a passing moment, and that the future already exists in the blueprint of nature. This can explain many prophecies recorded in history.
In the West, the philosophy of history is more of a methodical discipline that studies the significance of human history and questions whether it has any purpose or meaning. It raises questions such as: Are there general principles, laws, and patterns in history? Is there a direction or meaning in history? Can we predict the future through history? What lessons can we draw from history? Let’s consider these questions one by one.
Are there general principles, laws, and patterns in history?
Is there a direction or meaning in history?
Are there forces that guide history? In the past, most people believed in this, but today this idea is considered old-fashioned. These forces were called gods, providence, destiny, karma… Today they are often called “economy”.
However, belief in higher powers that influence human events is not irrational, as history records many events that could lead us to believe that there is some higher force beyond mere chance. One such example is the decision of the Mongol-Chinese ruler Kublai Khan to invade Japan. In 1274, he sent a huge fleet towards Japan for this purpose. It would have ensured their victory if a great storm had not unexpectedly hit and sunk almost the entire fleet. The Japanese called this storm kami1 kaze, or divine wind.
Today, it seems that the sense of direction and purpose has been lost in the modern world. The focus is now often placed on economic factors rather than on higher forces that may be at play. However, the existence of such forces cannot be completely dismissed, as history continues to surprise us with events that cannot be explained solely by chance or economic factors.
discard that possibility, not because it is illogical, but because we do not believe in gods or spirits, but on the other hand, we believe that everything happens by chance. The most eminent philosophers of antiquity, such as Plotinus, considered it absurd to believe that things happen by chance.
If we go back to the Eastern concept of time mentioned at the beginning of this article, if the future already exists in some way – in the archetypal world – then there will also be forces that lead human history towards the realization of those archetypes in time.
Can we predict the future using history?
Will today’s global civilization survive the current crises (ecological, economic, demographic, spiritual, etc.)? What usually happens in history is that many elements are lost, only to be replaced later by very different forms. As an example, we can take the civilizations of Greece and Rome. The power of Greece collapsed when it was overshadowed by Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC. However, it did not completely disappear. Many of its elements Many cultural elements, such as art and religion, were transferred to Rome, which incorporated them into its own life.
A similar fate befell Rome itself; when it declined in the transition from the 5th to the 6th century AD, some of its forms (philosophical, cultural, institutional, etc.) were adopted by Christians in the West and later by Muslims in the East. Some of these forms, such as architecture, law, and systems of government and administration, survived until the beginning of the 20th century and beyond.
As for our civilization, we could speculate that if everything is not destroyed in some nuclear or natural catastrophe, some of the scientific and cultural elements of our present civilization will be transferred to a new civilization that will gradually take its place, but this new civilization will be based on a completely different value system.
We often think that the future will be a continuation of the present, although history shows that this is never the case. Rome was very different from Greece. Medieval Europe was very different from ancient Rome.
the fact that they were rich and therefore using their power to oppress the poor. Another lesson from history is that societies that neglect education and intellectual development often end up in decline. On the other hand, societies that value knowledge and invest in education are more likely to prosper and advance. It is important to learn from these lessons and make informed decisions to shape a better future. just before it was too late. In many other cases, such as the French and Russian revolutions, violence prevailed, leading to massive destruction and loss of life.
Another lesson from history is the hope and inspiration we can draw from it. People often see history as a list of disasters, or as Shakespeare’s Macbeth says about life: “…it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” But there are people in history who truly work for the common good, rather than their own interests, although sometimes their achievements are overshadowed by those who work for their own gain. What we can learn from this is that while the amoral are often powerful, there are also those who selflessly fight against evil and strive, with some success, to restore good.
Even from military conquerors whose actions we disapprove of today, people like Alexander the Great or Napoleon, we can learn about the spirit for which “nothing is impossible”. For example, Edward III won the famous Battle of Crécy in the Middle Ages. Despite the fact that the French were numerically superior with a ratio of five to one and that the majority of his commanders advised him to withdraw. Such conquerors are often ultimately defeated, and this would be just another lesson to learn, a lesson that there are limitations to human achievements and that in such situations there is a great danger of hubris or pride. However, above all historical lessons, the philosophy of history is dedicated to understanding the nature and destiny of humanity, and this implies a return to the philosophical question of the nature and destiny of human beings.”
Note: “Kami” are spirits in Japanese religion.