Johann Gottlieb Fichte

Johann Gottlieb Fichte was a German philosopher influential in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He emphasized the importance of the self and individual identity, which led to concepts of nationalism, arguing that nation-states arise from the collective consciousness of their people. In his view of history, he believed that human progress is driven by ethical development, where each nation plays a part in the unfolding of a moral purpose. Fichte's ideas contributed significantly to modern nationalism and the philosophy of history, highlighting the role of collective identity in shaping human experience and moral evolution.