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Full Idea
Individuals are of slight importance compared to the mass of the human race.
Gist of Idea
The human race matters, and individuals have little importance
Source
Georg W.F.Hegel (Introduction to the Philosophy of History [1840], 3)
Book Ref
Hegel,Georg W.F.: 'Introduction to the Philosophy of History', ed/tr. Rauch,Leo [Hackett 1988], p.23
A Reaction
A perfect statement of the anti-liberal viewpoint. Hegel is complex, but this is the strand that leads to ridiculous totalitarianism, where the highest ideal is to die for the glory of your nation. Importance can only start from individuals.
| 20109 | Hegel inserted society and history between the God-world, man-nature, man-being binary pairs [Hegel, by Safranski] |
| 23270 | We should all agree that there is reason in history [Hegel] |
| 23274 | World history has no room for happiness [Hegel] |
| 23275 | The state of nature is one of untamed brutality [Hegel] |
| 23276 | The soul of the people is an organisation of its members which produces an essential unity [Hegel] |
| 23272 | The human race matters, and individuals have little importance [Hegel] |
| 23273 | In a good state the goal of the citizens and of the whole state are united [Hegel] |
| 23271 | The goal of the world is Spirit's consciousness and enactment of freedom [Hegel] |