Single Idea 22794

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 2. State Legitimacy / d. General will]

Full Idea

An essential part of the fully developed state is consciousness or thought; the state accordingly knows what it wills and knows this an a object of thought.

Gist of Idea

A fully developed state is conscious and knows what it wills

Source

Georg W.F.Hegel (Elements of the Philosophy of Right [1821], 270 add)

Book Reference

Hegel,Georg W.F.: 'Elements of the Philosophy of Right', ed/tr. Wood,Allen W. [CUP 1991], p.302


A Reaction

The silliest idea by a famous philosopher anywhere in this database. I bet the criterion for being fully developed is being conscious, and the criterion for being conscious is being fully developed, whatever that means. General will run riot.

Related Idea

Idea 22799 The people do not have the ability to know the general will [Hegel]