Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel

Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel

BiographyBiography

Born in Stuttgart on August 27, 1770, in southwestern Germany Raised as a Protestant Mother dies when he is 11 Studied Latin and the classics;

familiar with German literature and science

Born in Stuttgart on August 27, 1770, in southwestern Germany Raised as a Protestant Mother dies when he is 11 Studied Latin and the classics;

familiar with German literature and science

Bio con’d - Academic lifeBio con’d - Academic life

Acquainted with poet Friedrich Hölderlin and philosopher Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph von Schelling

Attended seminary - University of Tübingen - but decided against joining ministry

Enthusiastic supporter of French Revolution Finished The Phenomenology of Mind during

Napoleon’s invasion of the German kingdom Taught at University of Jena with Schelling Invited to teach at University of Berlin (1818) Died in Berlin on November 14, 1831, during

a cholera epidemic

Acquainted with poet Friedrich Hölderlin and philosopher Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph von Schelling

Attended seminary - University of Tübingen - but decided against joining ministry

Enthusiastic supporter of French Revolution Finished The Phenomenology of Mind during

Napoleon’s invasion of the German kingdom Taught at University of Jena with Schelling Invited to teach at University of Berlin (1818) Died in Berlin on November 14, 1831, during

a cholera epidemic

PhilosophyPhilosophy

Philosophy = Reality Romantic idea of a “World-Spirit” (like a

Christian God) “Heroes” are unconscious instruments of

the W-S (Caesar, Napoleon) Philosophy of History -> birth of Reason ->

history is a rational process History = human movement from less

freedom to more freedom

Philosophy = Reality Romantic idea of a “World-Spirit” (like a

Christian God) “Heroes” are unconscious instruments of

the W-S (Caesar, Napoleon) Philosophy of History -> birth of Reason ->

history is a rational process History = human movement from less

freedom to more freedom

Moralityand Social EthicsMoralityand Social Ethics

“Right and wrong” is a matter of individual conscience

Duty/moral obligation can only exist in a social setting - a “state”

Concept of “state” is based on the mutual recognition (“general will”) of individuals as being free

Rational individuals obey this “general will”

“Right and wrong” is a matter of individual conscience

Duty/moral obligation can only exist in a social setting - a “state”

Concept of “state” is based on the mutual recognition (“general will”) of individuals as being free

Rational individuals obey this “general will”

Influence / LegacyInfluence / Legacy

Most prominent German philosopher & Romantic thinker of his time

Division in followers (Hegelians): Right-wingers = conservative, Christian

stance Left-wingers = revolutionary, atheist

stance…included Karl Marx among othersLeft & Right Videohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-Eg_fLP-5U&p=AE3C46E53EFBC225&playnext=1&index=35

* “World-Spirit” embodied in Soviet Revolution

Most prominent German philosopher & Romantic thinker of his time

Division in followers (Hegelians): Right-wingers = conservative, Christian

stance Left-wingers = revolutionary, atheist

stance…included Karl Marx among othersLeft & Right Videohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-Eg_fLP-5U&p=AE3C46E53EFBC225&playnext=1&index=35

* “World-Spirit” embodied in Soviet Revolution

Important worksImportant works

The Phenomenology of Mind (p. 1807)

The Science of Logic (p. 1812, 1813, 1816)

The Philosophy of Right (p. 1821)

The Philosophy of History (p. 1837)

The Phenomenology of Mind (p. 1807)

The Science of Logic (p. 1812, 1813, 1816)

The Philosophy of Right (p. 1821)

The Philosophy of History (p. 1837)

Works CitedWorks Cited"Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel - Philosopher -

Biography." The European Graduate School - Graduate & Postgraduate Studies Progam - Saas Fee,

Switzerland. Web. 02 Nov. 2010. <http://www.egs.edu/library/georg-wilhelmfriedrich-

hegel/biography/>.

"Hegel Biography." Marxists Internet Archive. Web. 02 Nov. 2010.

<http://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/hegel/help/hegelbio.htm>.

Hegel, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich, and J. Sibree. The Philosophy of History. New York: Dover Publications, 1956. Print.

"Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel - Philosopher - Biography." The European Graduate School - Graduate

& Postgraduate Studies Progam - Saas Fee, Switzerland. Web. 02 Nov. 2010.

<http://www.egs.edu/library/georg-wilhelmfriedrich-hegel/biography/>.

"Hegel Biography." Marxists Internet Archive. Web. 02 Nov. 2010.

<http://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/hegel/help/hegelbio.htm>.

Hegel, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich, and J. Sibree. The Philosophy of History. New York: Dover Publications, 1956. Print.