Abstract

After a brief discussion of Kant’s critique of attempts to prove the existence of God, this chapter turns to Hegel. After some account of his life, there follows an account of his early posthumous theological essays. The chapter moves on to his final system. Some account is offered of his dialectical method and the progression from Pure Being, through the three great categories of The Idea in itself or The Logical Idea, The Idea outside itself or Nature, and the Idea in and for itself or Spirit. This terminates in what Hegel calls Absolute Spirit, which itself terminates in The Absolute Religion, that is to say Christianity. Hegel’s peculiar version of the doctrine of the Trinity is discussed. Finally the question as to the real religious value of Hegel’s system is raised.