Hegel’s Reinterpretation of the Doctrine of Spirit and the Religious Community

Abstract

Hegel laid great emphasis on the place of religion in human culture and on the close connection between religion and speculative philosophy. Quite apart from questions concerning the adequacy and legitimacy of his interpretation of religion in general or of Christianity in particular, the fact remains that Hegel more than once described his thought as the translation of the content of classical Christianity into the form of the speculative concept. His belief that he had actually accomplished such a translation is expressed on numerous occasions throughout his many writings. Therefore, I find quite unconvincing the claims made by those who find this fact embarrassing and who must then invent the myth that Hegel was not serious or that he did not mean what he said. What grounds other than those of dogmatic preference could be brought forth to support such a claim? One side finds the religious dimension in Hegel uncongenial and concludes that it may be dismissed: the other side finds that many of Hegel’s doctrines and especially his repeatedly stated view of the relation between religion and philosophy, make it impossible for us to think of eliminating the religious element in his thought while supposedly leaving his philosophy still standing. If we consult Hegel on the matter and not our own predilections and special interests, the religious dimension is essential. In this I agree with the recent study of the topic by Emil Fackenheim.