Teddy Larkin

November 7
Philosophy
Nemli
Hegel, Introduction; 40-57
Hegel begins by discussing the "form the spirit takes in actuality." This is "the
material in which the rational end-goal is to be realized." Unlike the spirit itself, human
will is dependent on external things. Humans set up the State, an "ethical totality", in
which individuals are free as long as they abide by the laws of the State. Hegel states that
the State is the realization of the spirit in the world, "the divine Idea as it exists on earth,"
the means in which "freedom gains its objectivity." Ideally, the State eliminates any true
conflict between the subjective needs of its people and the rational laws that govern them.
In the State, "the rational is the necessary," and the subjective and objective wills exist
together in it as a "serene whole."
Next Hegel discusses two errors in the ideology of the State. The first is the idea
that the State limits humans natural freedom. The second is the idea that the State is
simply an expansion of basic, family-based patriarchal authority. He also goes on to
argue against the "majority rules" model of the State, where every citizen must vote on
every decision of the State. Overall, Hegel defines the State as "the Idea of Spirit in the
externalized form of human will and freedom." In the State, the Idea and the subjective
will "cohere together exactly." The State is the true form of Spirit, and "the elements of
the Idea are reflected in the State as various political principles." These principles differ
widely for different states at different times, and there is no value in taking older models
for new states.
Hegel goes on to discuss that religion is the most powerful aspect of culture by
which the people may become aware of their own Spirit as the union between the
subjective and objective wills. This self-awareness, Hegel says, is crucial to the
development of Spirit. Religion provides a people with a definition of the deepest truth,
with a "universal soul of all particular things." Therefore the bond between religion and
state is extremely important.