Georg Hegel (1770-1831)

Philosopher of History

“Universal Spirit” – similar to Christian God (but is nonreligious)

- All of humanity ruled by its interconnectedness of this Spirit

“Thesis” – At any given time in history there is a predominant set of ideas

(example: Agrarian feudalism is good for a country)

“Antithesis” – That Thesis is challenged by another set of conflicting ideas

(example: Capitalism is good for a country)

“Synthesis” – These clash and a new pattern of thought emerges. It becomes the new Thesis.

Important Philosophical conclusions:

1. All periods of history are equal in their importance

2. All cultures are valuable – they bring necessary clashes of values and ideas.

Karl Marx uses Hegel’s ideas as the foundation of his work

Marx changes it to say that economic relationships between social classes are the driving force for the antithesis.