Ethan Hall

11/9/13

Hegel on Freedom


Hegel describes freedom as being the core basis for the system of right,
through the intermediary phases that are spirit and will. He writes: The basis of
right is the realm of spirit the will is free, so that freedom constitutes its substance
and destiny and the system of right is the realm of actualized freedom (Philosophy
of Right, 4). In other words, what Hegel means to say is that our human notions of
Right derive from the human characteristics of the spirit and the will both of which
depend for their existence on our freedom of choice, as is noted in the notes to
Hegels writing: Will without freedom is an empty word, just as freedom is actual
only as will or as subject (Ibid, 4). Because we are possessed of these qualities,
and have a predilection for self-determination, we are consequently faced with the
task of accounting for what rights of action we possess.
Hegel talks about will as being infinite, because the freedom one possesses
to will anything is completely inward, and exists actually, rather than potentially.
Just by the virtue of ones freedom of thought and mind, one has an uncurtailed
power of will and determination that exists in reality, not in theory. Because our will
and spirit are qualities of our mind, and focused inwards, there are no real
limitations to what we can do with them to what we can will, or desire.