Ideas from 'Introduction to the Philosophy of History' by Georg W.F.Hegel [1840], by Theme Structure

[found in 'Introduction to the Philosophy of History' by Hegel,Georg W.F. (ed/tr Rauch,Leo) [Hackett 1988,0-87220-056-6]].

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1. Philosophy / C. History of Philosophy / 4. Later European Philosophy / d. Nineteenth century philosophy
Hegel inserted society and history between the God-world, man-nature, man-being binary pairs
                        Full Idea: Before Hegel, people thought in binary oppositions of God and the world, man and nature, man and being. After Hegel an intervening world of society and history was inserted between these pairs.
                        From: report of Georg W.F.Hegel (Introduction to the Philosophy of History [1840]) by Rüdiger Safranski - Nietzsche: a philosophical biography 05
                        A reaction: This is what Popper later called 'World Three'. This might be seen as the start of what we islanders call 'continental' philosophy, which we have largely ignored. Analytic philosophy only discovered this through philosophy of language.
22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 2. Happiness / a. Nature of happiness
World history has no room for happiness
                        Full Idea: World history is not the place for happiness. Periods of happiness are empty pages in history.
                        From: Georg W.F.Hegel (Introduction to the Philosophy of History [1840], 3)
                        A reaction: Clearly, Hegel thinks the progress of world history is much more important than happiness. This idea gives backing to those who don't care much about the casualties on either side in a major war.
24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 1. A People / b. The natural life
The state of nature is one of untamed brutality
                        Full Idea: The 'state of nature' is not an ideal condition, but a condition of injustice, of violence, of untamed natural drives, inhuman acts and emotions.
                        From: Georg W.F.Hegel (Introduction to the Philosophy of History [1840], 3)
                        A reaction: He agrees with Hobbes, and disagrees with Rousseau. Hobbes's solution is authoritarian monarchy, but Hegel's solution is the unified and focused state, in which freedom can be realised.
24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 1. A People / c. A unified people
The soul of the people is an organisation of its members which produces an essential unity
                        Full Idea: The soul [of the people] exists only insofar as it is an organisation of its members, which - by taking itself together in its simple unity - produce the soul. Thus the people is one individuality in its essence.
                        From: Georg W.F.Hegel (Introduction to the Philosophy of History [1840], 3)
                        A reaction: Hegel is seen (e.g. by Charles Taylor) as the ancestor of a rather attractive communitarianism, but I think Popper is more accurate in seeing him as the first stage of modern totalitarianism. The people seen as one individual terrifies me.
24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 6. Liberalism / g. Liberalism critique
The human race matters, and individuals have little importance
                        Full Idea: Individuals are of slight importance compared to the mass of the human race.
                        From: Georg W.F.Hegel (Introduction to the Philosophy of History [1840], 3)
                        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.
24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 14. Nationalism
In a good state the goal of the citizens and of the whole state are united
                        Full Idea: A state is well constituted and internally strong if the private interest of the citizens is united in the universal goal of the state.
                        From: Georg W.F.Hegel (Introduction to the Philosophy of History [1840], 3)
                        A reaction: The obvious question is who decides on the goals, and what to do with the citizens who don't accept them.
25. Social Practice / A. Freedoms / 5. Freedom of lifestyle
The goal of the world is Spirit's consciousness and enactment of freedom
                        Full Idea: The final goal of the world is Spirit's consciousness of its freedom, and hence also the actualisation of that very freedom.
                        From: Georg W.F.Hegel (Introduction to the Philosophy of History [1840], 3)
                        A reaction: I have the impression that this ridiculous idea has been very influential in modern French philosophy, since they all seem to be dreaming of some perfect freedom at the end of the rainbow. Freedom is good, but this gives it a bad name.
25. Social Practice / E. Policies / 5. Education / d. Study of history
We should all agree that there is reason in history
                        Full Idea: We ought to have the firm and unconquerable belief that there is reason in history.
                        From: Georg W.F.Hegel (Introduction to the Philosophy of History [1840], 2)
                        A reaction: This is a ridiculous but hugely influential idea, and I have no idea what makes Hegel believe it. It is the Stoic idea that nature is intrinsically rational, but extending it to human history is absurd. Human exceptionalism. Needs a dose of Darwin.