G.W.F. Hegel [2]G.W.F. Hegel [2]

Idealist SystemIdealist System

The Painter and His PictureThe Painter and His Picture

The reality is a teleological process The reality is a teleological process through contradictions and crises. A through contradictions and crises. A painter paints a picture. What’s happen painter paints a picture. What’s happen here? Through this work he knows here? Through this work he knows himself. The work is an alienation of his himself. The work is an alienation of his inner life. So, the reality is both the spirit inner life. So, the reality is both the spirit (painter) and the nature (picture). Nature is (painter) and the nature (picture). Nature is the externalization of the inner life of the the externalization of the inner life of the spirit. It is the alienated spirit (the picture is spirit. It is the alienated spirit (the picture is also the alienated mind of the painter).also the alienated mind of the painter).

The DialecticsThe Dialectics

The dialectics is a three-steps-dynamic of all The dialectics is a three-steps-dynamic of all thing. It is called thesis, antithesis and synthesis. thing. It is called thesis, antithesis and synthesis. We can understand it as a process in which the We can understand it as a process in which the mind alienated itself into the outer world. This mind alienated itself into the outer world. This alienation of mind is then solved through alienation of mind is then solved through reconciliation of the world and its producer or the reconciliation of the world and its producer or the mind.mind.Note: In this reconciliation Hegel follows Note: In this reconciliation Hegel follows Schelling’s Philosophy of Identity (Schelling Schelling’s Philosophy of Identity (Schelling thinks that there is no difference between thinks that there is no difference between consciousness and nature) consciousness and nature)

AufhebungAufhebung

The synthesis is a process of reconciliation The synthesis is a process of reconciliation through Aufhebung, i.e:through Aufhebung, i.e:

1. To receive some elements of thesis and 1. To receive some elements of thesis and antithesisantithesis2. To eliminate the other elements2. To eliminate the other elements3. To lift up into a higher level (aufgehoben)3. To lift up into a higher level (aufgehoben)

Synthesis is not mere combination, but a Synthesis is not mere combination, but a qualitative new form. (Like Child is a synthetical qualitative new form. (Like Child is a synthetical form of father and mother)form of father and mother)

Das AbsoluteDas Absolute

Hegel’s philosophical standpoint is “das Hegel’s philosophical standpoint is “das Absolute” or the absolute. He takes this Absolute” or the absolute. He takes this starting point from Schelling. The absolute starting point from Schelling. The absolute has no difference in itself between subject has no difference in itself between subject and object. It is the whole reality that and object. It is the whole reality that include subject and object. include subject and object.

But it develops in time and space. But it develops in time and space.

The Big ThreeThe Big ThreeThe Idea (internal)The Idea (internal)

The Nature (external)The Nature (external)

The Spirit (internal-The Spirit (internal-external)external)

Three Steps of Development of Three Steps of Development of Reality [or the absolute]Reality [or the absolute]

The absolute develops in three steps like the The absolute develops in three steps like the development of human person:development of human person:1. The absolute in itself [das Absolute an sich] or 1. The absolute in itself [das Absolute an sich] or the Idea – comparable with the child that has not the Idea – comparable with the child that has not yet recognized himself yet recognized himself 2. The absolute for itself [das Absolute fuer sich] 2. The absolute for itself [das Absolute fuer sich] or the nature – comparable with the adult that or the nature – comparable with the adult that knows the world outside but still searches knows the world outside but still searches himselfhimself3. The absolute for and in itself [das Abasolute 3. The absolute for and in itself [das Abasolute an und fuer sich] or the spirit – comparable with an und fuer sich] or the spirit – comparable with an old man that knows himself through the worldan old man that knows himself through the world

The Absolute as Idea (subjective The Absolute as Idea (subjective moment)moment)

Hegel’s system begins with “logic”. Logic Hegel’s system begins with “logic”. Logic is the subjective moment of the absolute is the subjective moment of the absolute or idea. There are three moments here:or idea. There are three moments here:

1. Being (Sein) - external1. Being (Sein) - external

2. Essence (Wesen) – internal2. Essence (Wesen) – internal

3. Concept (Begriff) – external-internal3. Concept (Begriff) – external-internal

The Absolute as Nature (objective The Absolute as Nature (objective moment)moment)

The second part of Hegel’s System is The second part of Hegel’s System is Philosophy of NaturePhilosophy of Nature

1. Physics - material1. Physics - material

2. Mechanics - movement2. Mechanics - movement

3. Organics - life3. Organics - life

The Absolute as Spirit (absolute The Absolute as Spirit (absolute moment)moment)

The third and final part of Hegel’s System The third and final part of Hegel’s System is Philosophy of Spiritis Philosophy of Spirit

1. Subjective spirit: Phenomenology of 1. Subjective spirit: Phenomenology of SpiritSpirit

2. Objective spirit: Philosophy of Right2. Objective spirit: Philosophy of Right

3. Absolute Spirit: Art, Religion and 3. Absolute Spirit: Art, Religion and PhilosophyPhilosophy

An Example: Hegel’s Philosophy of An Example: Hegel’s Philosophy of RightRight

The objective spirit consists in three steps or The objective spirit consists in three steps or aspects, i.e: aspects, i.e:

1. Abstract Right: property right1. Abstract Right: property right

2. Morality: intention, guilt2. Morality: intention, guilt

3. Ethical Life (Sittlichkeit), that consists of three 3. Ethical Life (Sittlichkeit), that consists of three moments:moments:

A. Family : natural substance (more than sex)A. Family : natural substance (more than sex)

B. Civil Society: contract and individualismB. Civil Society: contract and individualism

C. State: more than economics or contractC. State: more than economics or contract

Sittlicher StaatSittlicher Staat

Hegel’s State is a sacral and religious Hegel’s State is a sacral and religious state. The citizens obey the law without state. The citizens obey the law without alienation, i.e. freely, because there is alienation, i.e. freely, because there is reconciliation between abstract right reconciliation between abstract right (thesis) and morality (antithesis) in form of (thesis) and morality (antithesis) in form of ethical life of the state (synthesis). ethical life of the state (synthesis).

The Three Moment is SynchronicThe Three Moment is Synchronic

We must regard the three moment of We must regard the three moment of Hegel’s Philosophy of Right not as Hegel’s Philosophy of Right not as chronological chain or diachronic, but as chronological chain or diachronic, but as synchronic: They are aspects of the same synchronic: They are aspects of the same political reality, i.e.: the capitalist state. political reality, i.e.: the capitalist state. The modern state can be seen as [1] a The modern state can be seen as [1] a collection of families; [2] as a civil society; collection of families; [2] as a civil society; or as [3] liberal state. or as [3] liberal state.