HEGEL, George Wilhelm Friedrich (1770-1831):
German philosopher whose system is
commonly known as "HEGELIANISM." His complex idealist philosophy contains many
elements the most influential of which are: (1) the DIALECTIC which is generally
interpreted to mean that all reasoning is dialectical proceeding from a CONCEPT to a new
and contradictory concept which gives way to a third concept that transcends and
synthesizes both earlier concepts. This is usually stated as thesis-antithesis and
synthesis; (2) the theory of self-realization by which the dialectical process in the
individual leads to a determinate "SELF" which is "for itself;" (3)
the theory of history which is a dialectical process leading to the manifestation of the
ABSOLUTE SPIRIT and arguing that in every specific age the spirit manifests itself in the Zeitgeist
or the "spirit-of-the-age" which determines social and political life,
knowledge, religion and art. Hegel's work strongly influenced such people as FEUERBACH and
MARX. Critics contend that it leads to TOTALITARIANISM and is so obscure as to bewitch the
intellect.
