Full Idea
The final goal of the world is Spirit's consciousness of its freedom, and hence also the actualisation of that very freedom.
Gist of Idea
The goal of the world is Spirit's consciousness and enactment of freedom
Source
Georg W.F.Hegel (Introduction to the Philosophy of History [1840], 3)
Book Reference
Hegel,Georg W.F.: 'Introduction to the Philosophy of History', ed/tr. Rauch,Leo [Hackett 1988], p.22
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.