Single Idea 22801

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

Full Idea

He who expresses the will of his age, tells it what its will is, and accomplishes this will, is the great man of the age.

Gist of Idea

The great man of the ages is the one who reveals and accomplishes the will of his time

Source

Georg W.F.Hegel (Elements of the Philosophy of Right [1821], 318 add)

Book Reference

Hegel,Georg W.F.: 'Elements of the Philosophy of Right', ed/tr. Wood,Allen W. [CUP 1991], p.355


A Reaction

The great man of Hegel's age had obviously been Napoleon, who may have accomplished the will of part of the French people, but went massively against the will of the rest of Europe. For Hegel this seems to be the reality of the General Will.