Hegel Quote by Bertrand Russell
““Hegel asserts that the real is rational, and the rational is real. But when he says this he does not mean by ‘the real’ what an empiricist would mean. He admits, and even urges, that what to the empiricist appear to be facts are, and must be, irrational; it is only after their apparent character has been transformed by viewing them as aspects of the whole that they are seen to be rational. Nevertheless, the identification of the real and the rational leads unavoidably to some of the complacency inseparable from the belief that ‘whatever is, is right’.””
About This Quote
Source Book: A History of Western Philosophy, 1945
Hegel claims reality and rationality are identical, but this does not mean empirical facts are always rational; only when viewed as part of a larger whole do they become rational, yet this view can foster complacency.
In simple terms: Hegel says reality equals rationality, but facts may seem irrational until seen in a larger context.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions about what is “right”.
Themes
philosophy
epistemology
logic
critical thinking
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- academic study
- debate
- personal belief formation
- ethical decision making
Key Concepts
idealism
empiricism
rationalism
dialectic
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you accept “the real is rational” without scrutiny?
- How can we balance holistic views with empirical evidence?
A Different Perspective
The claim can overlook concrete evidence and justify harmful status quos.
![“This [Hegel's philosophy] illustrates an important truth, namely, that the worse your logic, the more interesting the consequences to which it gives rise.” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/507/bertrand-russell-69_hegel_this-hegel-s-philosophy-illustrates-an-i_2511241.jpg)
![“Yet mere membership as a matter of duty is not enough for Hegel, given the grandeur of the state’s divine historical purpose: “One must worship the state as a terrestrial divinity.”[211]” quote by Stephen R.C. Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/371/stephen-r-c-hicks-12692_hegel_yet-mere-membership-as-a-matter-of-duty_229759.jpg)
![“If the State does not acquire supremacy over [vast private] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State.” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bad/bertrand-russell-69_acquire_if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy_1379.jpg)
