Episode Details

This episode covers the life and intellectual contributions of Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, a foundational figure in German idealism. The text details his early development at the Tübinger Stift alongside friends like Schelling and Hölderlin, tracing his career through various academic posts until his final years at the University of Berlin. It provides an in-depth analysis of his major philosophical system, which includes the Science of Logic, the Philosophy of Nature, and the Philosophy of Spirit. Key concepts such as dialectics, sublation, and the master-servant relationship are explored within the context of his seminal work, The Phenomenology of Spirit. Furthermore, the source examines Hegel's lasting impact on diverse traditions ranging from Marxism and existentialism to American pragmatism. Finally, the entry documents his views on history, religion, and aesthetics, while acknowledging modern scholarly critiques of his political and social theories.