The Actuality of the ‘Absolute Mind’

What is it about?

“Absolute mind” is Hegel’s encompassing term for art, religion, and philosophy, indicating that these domains are intrinsically connected as different modes through which the mind cognizes itself, in essential relation to the entirety of reality. Nature, for instance, might seem alien to the mind; however, Hegel argues that art, religion, and philosophy demonstrate the continuity between nature and mind, while also affirming the dignity of the latter. The insight into the self-cognition of mind and its essential connection with the entirety of reality, as well as its dignity, constitutes the sole subject-matter of absolute mind. This subject-matter is realized through various artistic, religious, and philosophical activities, which are, in turn, conditioned by anthropological, social, and scientific experiences. Together, these elements—subject-matter, activity, and condition—form the three dimensions of the actuality of absolute mind. This paper explores these dimensions within the framework of Hegel’s philosophy of absolute mind, mind (in general), and logic, offering a fresh perspective on the nature and aims of art, religion, and philosophy, and the conditions under which they operate.

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Why is it important?

Hegel’s conception of absolute mind has long been dismissed as obscure and often misunderstood as necessarily implying or even being founded upon a metaphysical or theistic notion of mind akin to the Christian God. Moreover, the commensurability of philosophy, religion, and art is seldom supported today. By focusing on a single yet fundamental paragraph in Hegel’s philosophy of absolute mind—a passage notably overlooked even within Hegelian scholarship—this paper provides a detailed commentary that illuminates Hegel’s ideas without resorting to metaphysical or transcendent assumptions. Instead, it emphasizes shared anthropological, social, and scientific experiences and knowledge. This approach not only fosters a non-metaphysical and non-religious understanding of the actuality and inherent rationality of art, religion, and philosophy but also aids in assessing their current relevance and legitimizing their future development in alignment with evolving anthropological, social, and scientific insights.