Hegel’s Philosophy and Common Sense

Giladi, Paul

Abstract

Although, as many scholars have noted, Hegel appears to dismiss common sense, I argue that his claim that speculative philosophy can provide the rational ground for what is implicit in ordinary consciousness amounts to a critical vindication of common sense. Hegel’s attitude to common sense/ordinary consciousness is thus more complex and intriguing than either the longstanding consensus on his dismissal of and disdain for common sense, or the McDowellian attempt to ally Hegel’s position with later-Wittgensteinian philosophical therapy. Hegel’s critique of ordinary consciousness, I conclude, should be read as a nuanced philosophical vindication of common sense.

Citation

Giladi, P. (2018). Hegel’s Philosophy and Common Sense. The European Legacy, 23(3), 269-285. https://doi.org/10.1080/10848770.2017.1420285

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 18, 2018
• Publication Date: Jan 18, 2018
• Deposit Date: Sep 8, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 8, 2023
• Journal: The European Legacy: toward new paradigms
• Print ISSN: 1084-8770
• Electronic ISSN: 1470-1316
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 23
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 269-285
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10848770.2017.1420285
• Keywords: Hegel; common sense; speculative philosophy
• Publisher URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/cele20