George Hegel: The Philosophy of Idealism Essay

Introduction

Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel is considered to be an outstanding philosopher of the nineteenth century who contributed to the development of idealism on the basis of phenomenology and existentialism. It is necessary to underline the fact that such thinkers as Friedrich Nietzsche, Soren Kierkegaard and some others rejected Hegel’s idea of idealism vision differing from common philosophy through his existentialist ideas of world perception. It should be noted that his theory cannot be disclosed as the one to be followed; Hegel’s presentation of the world we live in as absurd and irrational is considered to be ungrounded and has weak support in European philosophical study.

Hegel’ Philosophy

European existentialism described its philosophical thought on the basis of key humanity problems characterizing the universe as the useless environment having no clear identification and reasons for existence. Hegel’s optimistic idealism never agreed with the ideas presented by Schopenhauer, Nietzsche and Kierkegaard, who underlined the fact that ‘It is a silly talk. If there were nothing beyond experience, it would simply drive him (a man) mad’ (Moore, 2008, p.165).

Hegel’s idealism and existentialism are very contradictory and mistakable; this fact can be proved by the examples of many European thinkers. For example, Kierkegaard rejected Hegel’s flow of thought because of the individual’s dissolvent into abstract unreality described by Hegel. In order to demonstrate the contrast between two thinkers, it should be stressed that Kierkegaard highlighted the importance of individual’s choice and human role in universe development. Hegel’s philosophy was based on abstract thoughts and things that is why it cannot be perceived as the background for scientific development. Thus, the philosopher’s ideas were based on the principles of abstract metaphysics underlying the role of ‘ideal truth’ in the society. (Moore, 2008).

Hegel’s idealism where the world is predominantly driven by the reason centralization was completely rejected by such prominent European philosophers as Nietzsche and Schopenhauer. They stick to the opinion that our world was ruled in accordance with the cosmic will; though the cosmos in Hegel’s understanding was presented as the concrete thought expression. It should be stressed that Hegel’s Absolute Idealism was based on the following principles and ideas: the objective world is completely unfolding for human beings and is presented as infinite thought expression; he characterized reality through coherent thought systems being integrated and related to mathematics. These facts are contradicting enough; thus, for example, Berkeley expressed the theory that the objective world is a part of individuals’ minds. It is impossible to treat the world and human beings’ activities and way of life on the basis of abstract notions and thoughts, as it was underlined in Hegel’s philosophy.

Personal rejection of Hegel’s philosophy is connected with the identification of the theory of spirit expressed by the thinker. He noted that spiritual analysis could be closely connected with such aspects as state, society, punishment, personality and property. It is difficult to agree with the idea of political and historical role in the formation of the spirit being a part of the objective world. As it was stressed before, Hegel did not perceive the existence of objectiveness in human minds; so, how could he connect spirit with the elements of objective reality…?! In accordance with Hegel’s philosophical viewpoint, spirit is the highest Absolute conception and cannot be compared with any unfolded objectiveness. Hegel strived to centralize such concepts as negation and contradiction describing them as the principle elements of progressive development of state and society. Despite this fact he noted that evolution is dependent on the God’s will for self-awareness (Hegel, & Wallace, 1971).

It is necessary to underline the fact that Hegel’s position of existentialism based on the principle of abstract world perception cannot be grounded in modern society. His philosophical view is complicated and intricate, though it is not adaptable to the awareness of current generations. European philosophy demonstrated a number of realistic theories rejecting the abstract significance in human life and progress (Wallace, 2005).

Conclusion

The analysis of philosophical thought by Hegel demonstrated a number of contradictions and misunderstandings in European thinker’s thoughts. It should be stressed that he centralized ungrounded significance of abstract presentation and role in the formation of the universe. His optimistic realism suits no the standards and consciousness in modern science. It is necessary to underline the idea that Hegel rejected the general position of existentialism theory where human life sensitivity can result in constant sufferings and despair. In accordance with his presentation, people can build the world on the basis of abstract thoughts development; the centralization of spiritual significance cannot be supported by modern technological and scientific role in the formation of the human modern universe.

References

1. Hegel, G. W. and Wallace, W. (1971). Hegel’s Philosophy of Mind. Oxford University Press.
2. Moore, B. (2008). Philosophy: The Power of Ideas. McGraw-Hill Companies; 6^th Edition.
3. Wallace, R. (2005). Hegel’s philosophy of reality, freedom, and God. Cambridge University Press.