Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel | Biography, Books & Facts

During his years as a lecturer, Hegel continued to study the work of other philosophers, write journal articles and books, and synthesize his own system of thought. Building upon the work of Kant and German idealists, this system would come to be known as Hegelian philosophy and was primarily a way to interpret reality. Key components of Hegel's system include using the dialectic method, belief in the concept of the Absolute Spirit, and the science of logic. These aspects of his philosophical system are laid out in some of his written works, such as the Phenomenology of Spirit from 1807.

Phenomenology of Spirit

The Phenomenology of Spirit is Hegel's first major published work, his most discussed treatise, and foundation for his philosophical system. In the book, Hegel uses the dialectical method to examine the various levels of human consciousness, essentially seeking to answer the question of "How do we know anything with certainty?"

Beginning with self-consciousness, Hegel progresses to a final position of Absolute Knowing that is more than just individual perspective but a comprehensive understanding of multiple aspects of the world. In this sense, understanding the sciences, math, and history are crucial for reaching this stage of Absolute Knowing where true philosophical work can be completed. Hegel also stresses that the progress of history, with its various conflicts, is an essential aspect for humans to realize how far logic and ideas of freedom have developed.

Hegel was a prolific researcher and writer, and most of his major ideas were conveyed through the books he wrote. Some of his most important works include:

Phenomenology of Spirit, published in 1807.

While mainly known as Hegel the philosopher, he also had an extensive personal life. Hegel had agreed to marry and then left a woman, Christina Charlotte Burkhardt, when he left the University of Jena in 1806. Christina gave birth to Hegel's first son, Ludwig, in 1807. Hegel officially married Marie von Tucher in 1811, and they had three children: a daughter who died soon after birth, and two boys named Karl and Immanuel. Hegel's main associates throughout his life were fellow philosophers such as Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph von Schelling.

In discussing Hegel's personal life, it is important to note that his personal experiences undoubtedly influenced his philosophical work. For instance, growing up in a European context where Christianity was the main religion led Hegel to want to understand and rationalize religious participation. His introduction to the Greek and Roman philosophers at a young age also affected his perspective. And finally, living through a major revolutionary period on the continent shaped some aspects of how Hegel viewed politics and liberty.

Hegel spent the final years of his life working at the University of Berlin, until his death on November 14, 1831. Hegel likely died from a cholera epidemic that swept through the city. He was laid to rest at Dorotheenstadt cemetery in Berlin.

After his death in 1831, the ideas cultivated by Hegel began to spread more widely thanks to his numerous students.

Hegel is now regarded as one of the most influential thinkers in modern, western philosophy. His concepts of the dialectical method and historical progress affected many philosophers of the late 19th century, including a collection of followers known as the Young Hegelians. Some of the most prominent thinkers affected by Hegel include Friedrich Nietzsche and Karl Marx, the latter who used some of Hegel's ideas of dialectics as the foundation for Marxism. The effects of Hegel's ideas are most prominent in the disciplines of political philosophy, sociology, ethics, and various philosophical traditions like existentialism. Hegelianism continues to be discussed and debated today at universities and among philosophers.

Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel was a German philosopher born in 1770, now recognized as one of the most influential thinkers in recent Western philosophy. Building on the ideas of Immanuel Kant, Hegel became a prominent figure in the German idealism movement, which emerged in the late 18th century and argued that reality is shaped by human thought and experience. Hegel taught in various capacities throughout Germany including the University of Jena and the University of Heidelberg, all while writing and developing his own philosophical system. This system would come to be known as Hegelian philosophy, which follows in the tradition of Kant and is characterized by its dialectical method and exploration of historical progress.

Hegel's major works, such as the Phenomenology of Spirit and the Science of Logic, delve into the nature of consciousness, the logical structure of thought, and the concept of spirit. Hegel cultivated numerous friendships with other philosophers of his time, like Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph von Schelling. Hegel began teaching at the University of Berlin in 1818, and he and his family would remain in the city up until Hegel's death in 1831. His philosophy has had a profound impact on various disciplines, including political philosophy, sociology, ethics, and influenced other prominent thinkers like Karl Marx and Friedrich Nietzsche.