 According to Hegel, conflict occurs within and between states.  But “world-historical” (1988, 35) individuals, like Napolean Bonaparte, also have a key part to play in driving history forward. These great men are often motivated by narrow, personal goals.  Hegel paints a disturbing picture of the historical tendency of great men to “trample” on and use ordinary ones, but he thinks great men are ultimately tools as well—of Spirit and its self-realization (1988, 35).  Hegel's justification of war and destruction in the name of progress reflects his overall philosophy.  He holds that we can be reconciled to negative elements by seeing their place within a larger pattern.  In the Phenomenology of Spirit, he summarizes his thesis in the following slogan: “The true is the whole” (1807, 11). 