How did the idea of Volksseele shape Johann Gottfried von Herder's view of national identity?

Johann Gottfried von Herder’s concept of the Volksseele (ethnic soul) was fundamental to his view of national identity, serving as a cornerstone for his philosophy of cultural relativism and historicism.1

Herder posited that every culture possesses a distinct collective identity—an "ethnic soul"—that defines its unique character, traditions, and history. In his view, the Volksseele is most authentically expressed through a nation's language and folk literature, which he believed contained the "heart and soul" of a people. By elevating these cultural expressions, Herder argued that each nation has a destiny to realize and perfect its authentic characteristics, protecting them from being lost to foreign dominance or ignorance.12

This theory provided a powerful framework for German identity at a time when Germany lacked political unity. By asserting that all cultures are equal and should be judged within their own contexts, Herder challenged the prevailing French cultural chauvinism of the Enlightenment. Ultimately, he viewed the Volksseele as a vital force that allowed a people to define themselves, turning historical focus toward the social and cultural development of the Volk rather than mere political history.21