Lectures on the Philosophy of History

...securing what might otherwise fade from the mind with the strong rivets of the Idea In Hegelian philosophy, the "Idea" refers to the absolute truth or the self-realizing process of reason in the world.. Regarding the second part of my materials—the notes—I have had access to records of all five times this course was delivered (1822–23, 1824–25, 1826–27, 1828–29, and 1830–31*) written in the hands of Privy Councilor original: "Geh. Ober-Regierungs Rath" Schulze, Captain von Griesheim, Professor Hotho, Dr. Werder, Dr. Heimann, and the philosopher’s son, Karl original: "M. Charles" Hegel. It was not until the session of 1830–31 that Hegel began to discuss the Middle Ages and the Modern Era original: "Modern Time" more extensively; consequently, the sections of this book devoted to those periods are mostly taken from that final series of lectures. I am indebted to many of my respected colleagues and friends—whom I would gladly name if I were sure of their permission—for corrections, additions, and every kind of assistance. Without such help, this book would be far less complete in its historical illustration of principles than it may now be considered.

With the publication of this Philosophy of History, the Aesthetics original: "Æsthetik" coming in a few months, and the Encyclopedia original: "Encyclopädie" in its new form and style (which will not be a long wait), the task of editing and publishing Hegel's writings will be finished. For our Friend and Teacher, this will be a monument to his fame. For us, the editors, it is a memorial of devotion original: "piety"; one whose value and truth lies not in weak original: "womanish" mourning, but in a grief that acts as a spur to new activity. Furthermore, that devotion seeks no reward other than the satisfaction of having performed a duty. Even if those who are "dead while they live" A biblical reference (1 Timothy 5:6), likely used here to describe critics who are intellectually or spiritually stagnant. might criticize the weakness of our abilities, we hope for forgiveness because of the abundance of our passion. At last, the Hegelian Four Ages of the World Hegel’s division of world history into four stages: the Oriental, Greek, Roman, and Germanic (Modern) worlds. have made their appearance.

Berlin, June 8, 1837.

• These lectures were delivered at the University of Berlin, where Hegel was invited to teach in 1818. "He lectured there for thirteen years and established a school of thought; it is enough to mention Gans, Rosenkranz, Michelet, Werder, Marheineke, and Hotho as some of its members." —From George Henry Lewes’s Biographical History of Philosophy.—Translator