Religion in Hegel's Phenomenology of Spirit

Abstract

This chapter examines, through a comparison of contrasting commentaries on Hegel's work, the relevance and value of Hegel's concept of religion in a world where religion is, arguably, in decline. Hegel is shown to be a Christian philosopher, and yet with a concept of religion that can be of value in a post-Christian culture. Hegel's value lies in the fact that his philosophical analysis of religion can help us to “deconstruct” it, thereby making us aware of the precise impact of religion on our philosophical thinking while simultaneously acknowledging its declining influence. Hegel's value is in showing us the lack that the decline of religion has left us with, and his analysis could form the beginning of a new discussion about what might take—or might already have taken—the place of religion in the present day.