G.W.F Hegel

philosophy of the right

big idea

freedom is the core of the modern ethical life. freedom only becomes real however when individuals live inside the right kinds of social and political institutions.

freedom through institutions

hegel thinks freedom isn’t just doing whatever you want. real freedom is acting rationally, within a society whose laws you recognize as your own. institutions like the family, civil society, and state help shape and express this freedom.

3 stages of ethical life

family (unity, love, shared purpose), civil society (the competitive world of work, markets, individual rights), the state (highest expression of rational freedom - laws, constitutions, and institutions harmonize personal freedom with the common good)

rational state

a truly rational state matches the moral and historical development of human freedom

role of history

history unfolds as freedom slowly becomes conscious of itself. we are the products of history

to become free

be aware that you are free, give content (I am going to __), actually going that thing in the world. using your will