Hegelian Philosophy and Marxist Critique

Flashcards covering key concepts from Hegel's philosophy, Marx's critique, and related thinkers.

Hegel's Focus

The actual, not ideal; interested in understanding the world as it is.

Actualization

Concrete manifestation of the concept in reality.

Hegel's Focus

The actual, not ideal; interested in understanding the world as it is.

Actualization

Concrete manifestation of the concept in reality.

Concept

An abstract idea or notion that shapes reality.

Ephemeral Existence

Temporary, contingent, and ultimately illusory aspects of reality.

Determinant Existence

Actualization of a concept, serving as its body.

Unity of Concept and Existence

Concept and existence are interdependent; they together form an idea.

Ethical Life

Hegel's term referring to public morality including laws, legislation, and culture.

The Idea

The unity of the concept and its actualization.

Hegel's View on History

History is infused with reason and meaning, with rational development of institutions.

Public Morality

The collective ethical stance of society regarding laws and social norms.

Against Atheism

Hegel argues atheism leads to a godforsaken world devoid of rationality.

Divine Order

The notion that family, state, and professions are divinely ordained.

Rationality

A fundamental quality that must support existence and social institutions.

Free Will

The ability of individuals to make choices that express their moral freedom.

Three Movements of Will

1. Exemption from determination; 2. Self-determination; 3. Union of freedom and necessity.

Negation and Affirmation

Essential aspects of true freedom, one must reject external control and affirm self-reflection.

The Human Will

A fundamental aspect of experience where choices are made.

Phenomenological Fact

Human will is evident through the experience of making choices.

Marx vs Hegel

Marx critiques the idea that institutions reflect rational freedom.

Material Conditions

Marx's view that societal structures arise from economic relationships.

Class Struggle

Marx's core argument that history is defined by class conflicts.

Alienation

The separation individuals experience from their labor and its outcomes.

Transvaluation of Values

The radical re-evaluation of established moral values attributed to the priestly class.

Wealth and Property

In Marx’s view, private property is the source of inequality and exploitation.

Critique of Modernity

Nietzsche critiques modern values as rooted in nihilism.

Aristocratic vs Priestly Values

A distinction made by Nietzsche where aristocratic values promote strength and confidence while priestly values arise from weakness.

Utilitarianism

A moral philosophy, critiqued by Nietzsche, for imposing a limited view of happiness.

Hegeristics of Religion

Nietzsche critiques religion as being a reflection of societal power dynamics.

Liberalism

A political ideology associated with individual freedom that is critiqued by Nietzsche for its potential life-denying qualities.

Mills No-Harm Principle

Individuals may act freely as long as their actions do not harm others.

Utilitarianism and British Imperialism

Mill's perspective applies utilitarianism to justify actions like colonialism.

Opium Trade Debate

Discussion surrounding Mill's justification of the opium trade in China.

Women's Emancipation Movement

Critiqued by Nietzsche as contributing negatively to European culture.

J.S. Mill's Views on Intervention

Views on when intervention might be morally justified.

Civil Society

For Marx, modern civil society is a product of material conditions, not a space of freedom.

Duty to Society

Mill's focus on moral obligations individuals have towards society.

Philosophy of Right

Hegel's exploration of law and morality in relation to ethical life.

Self-determination

The process of reflecting on oneself to make rational choices.

Importance of Education

Critical role in facilitating individual freedom in contexts of civil society.

Crisis of Individuality

The struggle between personal freedom and societal norms.

Egalitarianism

A belief in equality that Nietzsche critiques for undermining individuality.

Religious Influence on Morality

Nietzsche attributes the rise of modern moral values to Christian teachings.

Censorship and Freedom of Speech

Mill defends liberty of speech even for unpopular opinions.

Philosophical Method of Observation

Hegel's approach emphasizes observing the world before forming theories.

Theism vs Naturalism

The debate surrounding belief in divine purpose versus strict naturalistic views.

Necessity of Property

Property is essential for the functioning of ethical life within a family.

Divine Providence

The idea that social structures manifest divine intention.

Self-Crossing

Nietzsche's critique of how morality shapes the individual's self-understanding.

Liberty vs Despotism

Mill discusses how despotism can coexist with liberty in society.

Economic Inequality

Viewed as a natural yet correctable condition in society.

Social Responsibility

The collective accountability individuals share towards each other within civil society.

The Societal Contract

Mill's idea of responsibility connected to the social contract and liberty.

Historical Evolution of Trade

A look at how economic practices evolved into systems of trade.

Conceptual Framework

The underlying philosophical structures that inform understanding.

Synthesis of Ideas

The process by which different philosophies, like Hegel and Nietzsche, interact.

Hegel's Idealism

The belief that reality is shaped by ideas that must be understood and actualized.

Critical Examination

The practice of analyzing concepts to see how they apply to society and ethics.

Dialectical Reasoning

A method of thinking through contradictions to understand concepts better.

Moral and Ethical Principles

The foundation of societal norms and laws as per Hegel and Marx.

Nature vs Nurture

The philosophical debate concerning the influence of genetics versus environment.

Crisis of Meaning in Modernity

The sense that traditional values have been undermined in contemporary society.

Philosophy as a Living Discipline

The view that philosophy must adapt to changing social and historical contexts.

Collective Welfare

The idea that the well-being of individuals within society is interconnected.

Subjective and Objective Elements

How personal experiences (subjective) relate to universal truths (objective) in philosophy.

Maximization of Happiness

The utilitarian ideal that responses should aim to increase overall happiness.

Healthcare vs Morality Debate

The ethical implications surrounding healthcare distribution and access.

Contradictions in Liberalism

The inherent conflicts within liberal principles related to equality and choice.

Critique of Political Ideologies

The exploration and questioning of various philosophical systems.

Philosophy of Law

How moral and ethical principles inform legal structures in society.

Crisis of Political Identity

The struggle individuals face in defining their roles within societal frameworks.

Freedom's Practical Application

How theoretical concepts of freedom apply within real-world political structures.

Rationalism vs Empiricism Debate

The conflict between belief in reason as the source of knowledge versus sensory experience.

Determining Necessity in Ethics

Understanding what is essential versus contingent in philosophical thought.

Intersection of Civil Rights and Philosophy

How civil rights movements challenge and shape philosophical discussions.

Legitimacy of State Authority

The basis on which states justify their existence and power over individuals.

Innovation in Social Structures

The ongoing evolution of how societies organize themselves.

Reflection on History

The importance of historical context in analyzing philosophical arguments.

Engagement with Existentialism

Exploring ideas on existence and human agency within philosophy.

Understanding Through Dialogue

The necessity of conversation in shaping philosophical understandings.

Moral Reevaluation

Continuously assessing what the ethical implications of actions are in society.

Revisiting Classic Philosophers

The process of looking back at the ideas of foundational thinkers to extract relevance today.