The Great Man

The Great Man

A World-historical individual is not so unwise as to indulge a variety of wishes to divide his regards. He is devoted to the One Aim, regardless of all else. It is even possible that such men may treat other great, even sacred interests, inconsiderately; conduct which is indeed obnoxious to moral reprehension. But so mighty a form must trample down many an innocent flower-- crush to pieces many an object in its path (32).

I have a difficult time dealing with this idea of the great man. Hegel seems to be saying that the great man has some kind of innate instinct to act in great ways. If the one aim is the idea of freedom, and the idea of freedom is bound up in the nature of God's Will (20), is it God's Will to trample down innocent flowers? Perhaps I am confused with the definition of the "One Aim", but if I'm not, it seems that the problem of evil is creeping up into the discussion. Many would say that Hitler was a great man, but it seems hard to reconcile the execution of millions of people with Hitler's supposed devotion to the One Aim. I would find it hard to say that the Holocaust was in God's Will.

Does anyone else find the same problem?