Kant and Hegel are well known for their contributions to the field of philosophy and history. Their views and ideas have led to different ways of viewing and understanding concepts of history. Their theories of history provide more insight into things such as absolute freedom, self-consciousness, enlightenment and morals in society. Some of their views on these concepts represent similarities in thought or direction of one’s thoughts. However, their ideas and views on these concepts also show differences that exist between the two.
Firstly, Kant’s ideas on issues about universal history were unique from those of Hegel. Kant came up with nine propositions in trying to illustrate his point of view on universal history. The first proposition alluded that all the natural capacities of creatures were destined to be developed completely and in conformance with their end. This proposition was used to illustrate that everything in existence is governed by the laws of nature. It further highlights that if the laws of nature are not in existence, the guiding principles of reason will replace the dismal reign of chance (‘Idea for Universal History’ 42).
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Kant, moreover, argued that the history of the human race could be viewed as a realization of hidden plans of nature to bring out internal and external political constitutions as the only possible states in which man’s natural capacities and capabilities could be formed or developed completely.
The second and third propositions major on a person’s capacity to reason and the nature of a man to produce based on his intuition (‘Idea for Universal History’ 43). Reason is described as a creature or a faculty that aids other creatures to extend beyond the natural limits of instincts. For it to be effective, reason requires a person to practice, try, and follow instructions to learn. It also shows that people are not only supposed to be guided by instincts alone but also by also meant to produce everything out of themselves.
On the other hand, Hegel’s account of self-consciousness tried to depict a person’s self-consciousness as being in unity with its object (‘Hegel Self-Consciousness’ 1). This kind of relationship gives birth to the beginning of the experience. The consciousness of self is the underlying basis for the consciousness of anything else. It is also the starting point for further analysis of the experience of something at a higher level than the sense of realization. Self-consciousness, according to Hegel, is often viewed as the beginning of attitude; which is a distinctive type of experience which often needs elucidation (‘Hegel Self-Consciousness’ 2).
Hegel’s ideas on self-consciousness, moreover, encompassed viewing different kinds of content through which consciousness is supposed to find oneness (‘Hegel Self-Consciousness’ 3). The different kinds of content also depict different degrees of realization of consciousness of self-argument. The result of this argument is that consciousness of self is realized when it is universal self-consciousness. The results, in this case, are a true depiction of what reason is.
Secondly, Kant attempted to define enlightenment based on the views and concepts he had. He defined it as a man’s emergence from his immaturity; which may be self-incurred. Immaturity, according to Kant, is a person’s inability of a person to use his understanding without relying on another person’s guidance or help (‘Kant- What is Enlightenment’ 54). Kant further explained that laziness and cowardice were the contributing factors to immaturity among people. According to Kant, it’s difficult for an individual to emerge from his/her immaturity since it becomes almost second nature to them.
According to Kant, the entire public can enlighten themselves but only when public concern is left in freedom (‘Kant- What is Enlightenment’ 56). It is not possible to convince every person to think as a group or think together as some will always find it suitable to think for themselves. This includes some who may have been chosen to represent the common masses. For such people, once they have been thrown off the York of immaturity will always find it in their place to disseminate the spirits of national respect. The process of achieving enlightenment is slow as is the process of rational thinking.
Kant’s views of freedom through enlightenment encompass that people be allowed to make public use of their reasons and thoughts (‘Kant- What is Enlightenment’ 56). His ideas encourage people to argue and reason while at the same time obeying what is to be obeyed. His views on enlightenment and freedom illustrate that the existence of restrictions to reason or argue limits enlightenment among people. Kant argues that public use of a man’s reason must always be made free but private use can be restricted only narrowly.
Kant further argued that people did not live in an enlightened age but in the age of enlightenment (‘Kant- What is Enlightenment’ 58). He alluded that men could not use their understanding confidently or well in religious matters unless someone with better information and knowledge provided guidance. The obstacles to man’s enlightenment capabilities are gradually being eradicated. When this happens, people will be able to think freely without fear of being restricted or needing constant guidance.
Hegel, on the other hand, tried to explain the concept of freedom by using consciousness and self-existence. Self-existence according to Hegel is not the normal self that one is used to, like an object but the pure notion of a person’s inner self (‘Absolute Freedom and Terror’ 1). The self itself together with an object or being constitutes the unity of the process of self-existence. This, in turn, gives birth to the feeling of absolute freedom. Hegel describes absolute freedom as the means of self-consciousness consciousness which often comprehends that in the certainty of self, lies the ideas and views of spiritual spheres of the supersensible universe.
Hegel argues that the undivided substance of absolute freedom has put itself in the realm of the world, without any possibility of resistance being experienced. Self-consciousness enables a person to think freely without being coerced by other forces, which are mostly external in nature and existence (‘Absolute Freedom and Terror’ 2). Those who lack self-consciousness or are unable to use or apply it in real life are incapable of experiencing absolute freedom. In most cases, such people are left to rely on others for guidance on the way forward on some of the most critical issues in society. Hegel argued that absolute freedom, in certain cases, helped boost the sense of self-consciousness among certain people. The feeling and need for absolute freedom spearheaded by a group of people could boost consciousness of self among people who understood absolute freedom but couldn’t apply it.
Furthermore, Kant and Hegel had varying ideas and views on the issue of morals and ethics in society. Hegel disputed Kant’s presentation of purely formal ethics as nothing more than an aspect that limits contradiction (‘Spirit, the Ethical World’ 2). According to Kant, people are supposed to act as from duty and not the inclination. This means that the existence of an inclination to do good and the need to please one by doing good is not important in ethics. Ethics, per Kant’s analogy, is based on what one is supposed to do, whether good or bad. Hegel disputed this by stating that it lacks content. Hegel asserted that ethics and morals were supposed to be actualized through systems of shared customs, values, and social institutions. This, according to Hegel, led to one being able to question how a system of actualized morality and ethics in life is founded.
According to Hegel, the universe was full of laws and relations that were a series of flux that eventually turned to contradicting each other rather than solving critical issues. Kant alluded that the universe was determined by the necessary relations and laws. Contradiction, according to Kant, was a recipe for self-destruction. Hegel, on the other hand, viewed contradiction as a force that ultimately drives progress toward freedom (‘Spirit, the Ethical World’ 3).
The differences between Kant and Hegel have great impacts on our understanding of certain concepts in philosophy and history in general. Firstly, the differences between Kant’s view on reason and Hegel’s account of self-consciousness can be combined to obtain a hybrid of ideas that work for both points of view. A person can reason and apply his intuition while being self-conscious about things surrounding them. According to Hegel, a person is supposed to use self-consciousness to make rational decisions about concepts. However, it is also possible to apply reason when facts are present for decision-making. Self-consciousness can enable a person to think of a way forward and this can also be done with the application of facts that aid in reasoning.
In addition, the different manner in which Kant and Hegel tried to explain the concept of freedom provides insights into how people can understand how free they can be. It is possible to enlighten yourself through public means and be free. Kant encouraged people to make good use of public knowledge to enlighten themselves to freedom. Kant also argued that it was okay to seek help from people with experience when seeking enlightenment for freedom. Hegel’s views on freedom are also important as he stated that one could apply self-consciousness and be on the path to becoming free. According to Hegel, a person cannot be coerced by other forces to be self-conscious and understand the importance of self-existence, which are great ingredients of freedom. In general, depending on a person’s capabilities, one can either seek help to obtain enlightenment or apply self-consciousness, all of which lead to freedom.
In conclusion, Hegel and Kant had varying views on issues such as freedom and a person’s capability to make decisions. Kant based his views on freedom enlightenment and the ability to use reason. He came up with nine propositions that addressed the concept of universal freedom some of which were based on the pure application of reason and facts. Hegel, on the other hand, attempted to explain the concepts of freedom and decision-making by applying self-consciousness. Absolute freedom, according to Hegel, was a result of the proper application of self-consciousness. The differences between the two individuals’ points of view on these issues have resulted in a hybrid nature of thought where one’s views can be used as possible alternatives, depending on the situation.
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