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Ideas for 'fragments/reports', 'The Philosophy of History' and 'Thought and Talk'

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2 ideas

25. Social Practice / A. Freedoms / 1. Slavery
Slavery is unjust, because humanity is essentially free [Hegel]
     Full Idea: Slavery is in and for itself an injustice, for the essence of humanity is freedom.
     From: Georg W.F.Hegel (The Philosophy of History [1840], p.99), quoted by Stephen Houlgate - An Introduction to Hegel 08 'Rights'
     A reaction: This is a corrective to Idea 12783, which offers a defence of the reality of historical slavery. That seemed to depend on some notion that each phase of history is necessary, which is implausible.
State slavery is a phase of education, moving towards a full culture [Hegel]
     Full Idea: Because slavery exists in states, it is a phase of advance from the merely isolated sensual existence - a phase of education - a mode of becoming participant in a higher morality and the culture connected with it.
     From: Georg W.F.Hegel (The Philosophy of History [1840], p.98), quoted by Stephen Houlgate - An Introduction to Hegel 08 'Rights'
     A reaction: [He adds that slavery should be removed slowly, not suddenly] A nicely provocative thought. Is it better to participate in something grand (like pyramid building) as a slave, or drift in dull isolation? How long should this 'phase' last?