Philosophy of history is understood as the branch of philosophy that deals with the study of development and the ways in which existing individuals generate history. The word, according to sources, could have been used for the first time, systematically and deliberately by the French writer, historian, philosopher and lawyer Voltaire or also known as François Marie Arouet, in different essays and investigations; although it should be noted that this character gave a modern meaning to the term; somewhat different from the strictly theological appreciation of history.
Voltaire's philosophy was to consider the historical phenomenon from the sense of reason, based on a skeptical and critical attitude in reference to the possible established dogmas; Its fundamental purpose was to explain the "spirit of the times and nations" and the process of development of humanity in the different existing aspects, with a scientific criterion, so to speak.
In a general sense, the philosophy of history seeks to answer the three temporal questions related to events of a social nature: where do we come from? and where do we go? All this occurs in your essential perception, which departs from the numerous perceptions that are not essential and whose influx only causes confusion.
The philosophy of history, on certain occasions, can object to the existence of a theological purpose or end of history, that is, it can question whether there is a design, guiding principle, purpose or a purpose in the development or creation of history.