Hegel and the Moral World View

Abstract

<p>The purpose of this thesis is to investigate Hegel's conception of morality. Kantian ethics, or to For Hegel, morality refers mainly to the "moral world-view." Hegelian morality is therefore primarily concerned with Kantian ethics and what Hegel considers to be the problems inherent within Kant's ethical system. Hegel's position on morality, as defined by the moral world-view, is that it is inadequate and must be sublimated into the societal norms of ethical life.</p> <p>Hegel's dialectical movement to ethical life is based upon his criticisms of Kantian ethics. However, if a credible Kantian reply can be found to answer Hegel's criticisms, Hegel's moral dialectic becomes problematic. In this thesis I will clarify Hegel's position on morality and will conclude by providing a Kantian reply to Hegel's criticisms.</p> <p>This thesis is divided into three chapters. In Chapter One, I introduce Hegel's critique of Kantian ethics within The Phenomenology of Spirit. In Chapter Two I explore He gel 's definition of morality wit h i nth e Philosophy of right . In the third and final chapter I analyze Hegel's critique of the moral world-view and provide a Kantian reply to Hegel's criticisms. I conclude by arguing that Kantian ethics can be defended against Hegel's criticisms, therefore Hegel's attempt to sublimate morality into ethical life is problematic.</p>