The philosophy of history as an ethical commitment to the future

This paper attempts to show that the philosophy of history involves an ethical commitment and that its reflections, in addition to dealing with the past or temporal consciousness, can also favor a critique of the present that is useful for generating positive expectations about the future. Firstly, we analyze the Kantian concept of hope within the framework of his philosophy of history, to rescue its political and historical usefulness. The potential of this Kantian-inspired concept of hope for an ethically engaged philosophy of history is then considered. Finally, we defend the argument that the philosophy of history is not restricted to being a reflection on the past or a critique of historical knowledge or an investigation into temporal experiences. The philosophy of history can also provide a hopeful perspective that allows us to guide current desires and forecasts on the path to achieving a better world.