Hegel as a political thinker

Between teleological metaphysics and political realism

Authors

  • Israel Arcos Fuentes Universidad del País Vasco

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18042/cepc/rep.203.01

Abstract

Hegel situates himself within the tradition of political realism. This is evident in his perspective for addressing political reality. However, the philosophical nature of his work, his philosophical system with aspirations to encompass the totality of the real, destined for a higher purpose —the realization of the absolute spirit in history— ultimately narrows his political focus. The historical teleology, in particular, diminishes his realistic conception of the political, as this perspective advocates for a contingency in historical temporality that, as in Machiavelli or Spinoza, does not determine history toward a telos. Exploring these tensions between the more political Hegel and the more philosophical one, highlighting some of his ideas aligned with political realism, and presenting his attempt to reconcile the freedom of the ancients with that of the moderns, the particular with substantial unity, will be the objectives of this brief exploration.

Published

2024-03-22

Issue

Section

ARTICLES