Johann Gottfried Herder's "This Too a Philosophy of History for the Formation of Humanity" posits that history is not a linear progression towards a single, universal ideal, but rather a dynamic process driven by the unique national spirit (Volksgeist) of distinct peoples. Each nation possesses an organic, immanent purpose and unfolds according to its own internal logic, contributing to humanity's overall, albeit multifaceted, development. He rejects Enlightenment universalism and the teleological focus on reason, advocating for the appreciation of cultural diversity and the particularity of historical experience.

Herder emphasizes that understanding history requires empathizing with the spirit and context of each epoch and culture. He introduces the concept of "humanity" not as a uniform entity, but as a rich tapestry woven from the contributions of countless diverse national expressions. Readers gain an appreciation for cultural relativism, the organic nature of national identity, and the importance of historical context in interpreting human development. The work lays groundwork for Romantic historicism and challenges the idea of a singular, rational historical trajectory.

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Key concepts

Volksgeist — The inherent national spirit or character that defines and shapes a people's culture, language, and historical development.
Organicism — The view of cultures and nations as living, growing entities with internal drives and developmental stages, analogous to biological organisms.
Cultural Relativism — The idea that values, beliefs, and practices of a culture should be understood within their own cultural context, rather than judged by the standards of another.
Philology — The study of language in historical sources, seen by Herder as crucial for understanding the Volksgeist and a people's national identity.