Kojève’s silence: Science and the end of history

This paper argues that in his early writings on modern physics, Alexandre Kojève develops a critique of classical metaphysics that compromises his interpretation of Hegel. I aim to show that Kojève’s rejection of the classical conception of Being—as a spatially homogeneous uni-totality—renders the end of history impossible. I will contend that Kojève’s attempt to reconcile this tension through a distinction between knowledge and truth—asserting both the incompleteness of scientific knowledge and the existence of an omniscient Wise Man—is ultimately untenable. In post-historical time, there can be no dualism of science and philosophy: the end of history implies—and therefore would coincide with—the end of science. The end of history not being possible without the end of science, the errors committed by men endure indefinitely.