A skeptic reads Hegel pt 2steemCreated with Sketch.

in philosophy •  8 years ago 

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Still working my way through the introduction to The Philosophy of History. Today i am thinking about the concept of state as the collective seeking of interests related to life and property which in turn generates the World Spirit.

The concept doesn't seem far off from social contact theory, just adding in a dash of teleology. I think about the translation of individual action and goals to the larger scale of societies often.

Does anyone else get the feeling that our individual drives are so distinct and in conflict these days that the World Spirit is a bit schizophrenic?

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Hegel believed that the end of philosophy (and by extension, man) is to find God, or some concept thereof. When considering this and the relationship of life and especially property, I look to Locke. His definitions seem more in keeping generating a World Spirit. Excellent article, upvoted and resteemed!

The religious aspect was a surprise to me when i started reading, considering his popularity with marxists. Still, the concept a world spirit is something i am open to despite my agnosticism. Thanks for reading and the resteem!

Thank you! When I commented on your first part, I encouraged you not to fall into the "atheist trap." Most of Hegel's adherents are Marxist, therefore, atheists, Hegel himself was not, nor were very many of his contemporaries. Most of atheism in philosophy is a fairly modern phenomenon.