The Problem of Determinism and Freedom in History from the Perspective of Ernst Cassirer

Abstract

Fouad Makhoukh discusses the problem of determinism and freedom in history, as addressed by the German philosopher Ernst Cassirer and as seen in his response to a series of philosophical conceptions (positivist, Hegelian, Spenglerian). Proponents of these notions defended determinism as a key concept for the study of historical facts, as opposed to affirming mankind’s freedom and ability to make history. In his analysis of this problematic, Cassirer presents such conceptions in order to go beyond them, drawing inspiration from the Kantian philosophy of history and the human effectiveness of liberation self-realization, achieving self-consciousness. Cassirer takes a stand on freedom in history, in particular, and more generally towards culture and the sciences, through negating the possibility of defining culture based upon the concept of “necessity,” and emphasizing rather the concept of “freedom” in its ethical sense: mankind is the maker of history, enjoying undeniable autonomy and the ability to act and produce cultural forms, at specific historical intervals.