The Logic of Hegel

They do not present themselves in their true character until long after the original excitement has passed away. To some minds, the chief value of the Hegelian system will lie in its defense of the truths of natural and revealed religion, and in the agreement of the philosopher’s complex reasoning with humanity’s simple desire for higher things. To others, that system will be most interesting as a philosophical history of thought—an explanation of the organic development of reason that underlies and forms the basis for all the varied and complex movements of the world. To a third group, again, it may seem at best a tool or method of investigation, defining the true law by which knowledge moves in its effort to understand and absorb the natural world.

While these various meanings may be given to the Hegelian scheme of thought, the majority of the world either declares Hegel to be altogether incomprehensible or dismisses him to the limbo of a priori original: "a priori"; a Latin term referring to reasoning that comes from theoretical deduction or self-evident principles rather than from observation or experience. thinkers—that boundary original: "bourne" from which no philosopher ever returns. To argue with those who start with that conviction would be a thankless and probably unnecessary task. We can be sure that "wisdom is justified by all her children" A biblical reference to Luke 7:35, suggesting that the truth of an idea is proven by its results and followers..

However, it is possible to admit that difficulties exist and to agree, to some extent, with those who complain that Hegel is impenetrable and as hard as diamond original: "adamant"; an archaic term for an indestructible or extremely hard mineral.. There can be no doubt about the intimidating appearance of the most prominent features of his system. He is difficult in his own right, and his readers find him difficult. His style is not of the best quality, and to foreign eyes, it seems inconsistent. At times he is eloquent, stirring, and impressive; at other times, his phrasing is harsh and his sentences are exhausting to untangle. We are also constantly encountering a certain "childlikeness" of literary style, which English taste imagines it can detect in some of the greatest works of German genius. There are indeed faults in Hegel that hide his meaning, but more obstacles are caused by the nature of the work itself and the preconceived ideas in our own minds. Yet, there is something in him that fascinates the thinker and inspires a sympathetic student with the energy and hope of springtime.