Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel

Biography  Born in Stuttgart on August 27, 1770, in southwestern Germany  Raised as a Protestant  Mother dies when he is 11  Studied Latin and the classics; familiar with German literature and science  Born in Stuttgart on August 27, 1770, in southwestern Germany  Raised as a Protestant  Mother dies when he is 11  Studied Latin and the classics; familiar with German literature and science

Bio con’d - Academic life  Acquainted with poet Friedrich Hölderlin and philosopher Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph von Schelling  Attended seminary - University of Tübingen - but decided against joining ministry  Enthusiastic supporter of French Revolution  Finished The Phenomenology of Mind during Napoleon’s invasion of the German kingdom  Taught at University of Jena with Schelling  Invited to teach at University of Berlin (1818)  Died in Berlin on November 14, 1831, during a cholera epidemic  Acquainted with poet Friedrich Hölderlin and philosopher Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph von Schelling  Attended seminary - University of Tübingen - but decided against joining ministry  Enthusiastic supporter of French Revolution  Finished The Phenomenology of Mind during Napoleon’s invasion of the German kingdom  Taught at University of Jena with Schelling  Invited to teach at University of Berlin (1818)  Died in Berlin on November 14, 1831, during a cholera epidemic

Philosophy  Philosophy = Reality  Romantic idea of a “World-Spirit” (like a Christian God)  “Heroes” are unconscious instruments of the W-S (Caesar, Napoleon)  Philosophy of History -> birth of Reason -> history is a rational process  History = human movement from less freedom to more freedom  Philosophy = Reality  Romantic idea of a “World-Spirit” (like a Christian God)  “Heroes” are unconscious instruments of the W-S (Caesar, Napoleon)  Philosophy of History -> birth of Reason -> history is a rational process  History = human movement from less freedom to more freedom

Morality and Social Ethics  “Right and wrong” is a matter of individual conscience  Duty/moral obligation can only exist in a social setting - a “state”  Concept of “state” is based on the mutual recognition (“general will”) of individuals as being free  Rational individuals obey this “general will”  “Right and wrong” is a matter of individual conscience  Duty/moral obligation can only exist in a social setting - a “state”  Concept of “state” is based on the mutual recognition (“general will”) of individuals as being free  Rational individuals obey this “general will”

Influence / Legacy  Most prominent German philosopher & Romantic thinker of his time  Division in followers (Hegelians):  Right-wingers = conservative, Christian stance  Left-wingers = revolutionary, atheist stance…included Karl Marx among others Left & Right Video * “World-Spirit” embodied in Soviet Revolution  Most prominent German philosopher & Romantic thinker of his time  Division in followers (Hegelians):  Right-wingers = conservative, Christian stance  Left-wingers = revolutionary, atheist stance…included Karl Marx among others Left & Right Video * “World-Spirit” embodied in Soviet Revolution

Important works  The Phenomenology of Mind (p. 1807)  The Science of Logic (p. 1812, 1813, 1816)  The Philosophy of Right (p. 1821)  The Philosophy of History (p. 1837)  The Phenomenology of Mind (p. 1807)  The Science of Logic (p. 1812, 1813, 1816)  The Philosophy of Right (p. 1821)  The Philosophy of History (p. 1837)

Works Cited "Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel - Philosopher - Biography." The European Graduate School - Graduate & Postgraduate Studies Progam - Saas Fee, Switzerland. Web. 02 Nov "Hegel Biography." Marxists Internet Archive. Web. 02 Nov Hegel, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich, and J. Sibree. The Philosophy of History. New York: Dover Publications, Print. "Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel - Philosopher - Biography." The European Graduate School - Graduate & Postgraduate Studies Progam - Saas Fee, Switzerland. Web. 02 Nov "Hegel Biography." Marxists Internet Archive. Web. 02 Nov Hegel, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich, and J. Sibree. The Philosophy of History. New York: Dover Publications, Print.