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HEGEL'S PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION

Module code: PH845
Credits: 10
Semester: 2
Department: PHILOSOPHY
International:
Coordinator: Dr William Desmond (ANCIENT CLASSICS)

	Overview
	Hegel has been called the last great �Christian� philosopher. Some have disputed this and see him as an important influence in shaping modern atheism. A central aspect of the significance of Hegel�s philosophy, therefore, has to do with his relation to religion. This module examines the essential themes of Hegel�s philosophy of religion, from early beginnings to more mature expression, looking at Hegel�s effort to comprehend all religions as contributing to the revelation of God or the absolute, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Greek and Roman religions. We will pay attention to the special place he claims Christianity has, as well as his attempt to �go beyond� Christianity in his philosophical system (something Kierkegaard passionately rejected). We will look at his Lectures on the Philosophy of Religion, lectures which contributed to him being the most famous philosopher in Berlin in his later period (the 1820s) and also at the continuing legacy of these lectures, especially in the hands of atheistic thinkers like Ludwig Feuerbach and Karl Marx, and the major questions his thinking still poses for us today. Use will be made of Hegel�s Lectures on the Philosophy of Religion, 1827 (Oxford University Press, 2006).

Overview

Hegel has been called the last great �Christian� philosopher. Some have disputed this and see him as an important influence in shaping modern atheism. A central aspect of the significance of Hegel�s philosophy, therefore, has to do with his relation to religion. This module examines the essential themes of Hegel�s philosophy of religion, from early beginnings to more mature expression, looking at Hegel�s effort to comprehend all religions as contributing to the revelation of God or the absolute, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Greek and Roman religions. We will pay attention to the special place he claims Christianity has, as well as his attempt to �go beyond� Christianity in his philosophical system (something Kierkegaard passionately rejected). We will look at his Lectures on the Philosophy of Religion, lectures which contributed to him being the most famous philosopher in Berlin in his later period (the 1820s) and also at the continuing legacy of these lectures, especially in the hands of atheistic thinkers like Ludwig Feuerbach and Karl Marx, and the major questions his thinking still poses for us today. Use will be made of Hegel�s Lectures on the Philosophy of Religion, 1827 (Oxford University Press, 2006).

	Learning Outcomes
	On successful completion of the module, students should be able to: have a systematic sense of Hegel�s overall philosophy and how Hegel�s basic concepts inform his singular approach to the significance of religion; place Hegel�s philosophy of religion within the historical context of the late 18th century and the early 19th century; evaluate better the relationship(s) between the God of religion and the God of the philosophers; identify the underlying logic of Hegel�s dialectical and speculative way of approaching religion, in its persuasiveness and difficulties; explain the influence that Hegel�s philosophy of religion in shaping significant forms of post-Hegelian critiques of religion, including influential atheistic successors, as well as significant forms of post-Hegelian theological practice up to the present; compose an intelligent response to Hegel in writing.

Learning Outcomes

Teaching & Learning methods

Assessment

	Autumn Supplementals/Resits
	Are supplemental/resit registrations permitted? Yes Final paper of ca. 4,000 words (70%) Is Supplemental Continuous Assessment registration permitted? No Is Supplemental Continuous Assessment capped? No

	Timetable
	This timetable is not currently available, please contact the Philosophy Department.

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Courses / Module

HEGEL'S PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION