Absolute

Definition

In philosophy, 'absolute' refers to an ultimate reality or an unconditional state that exists independently of any conditions or limitations. It is often associated with the idea of a complete and total truth that transcends particular instances or contexts, serving as a foundation for knowledge and existence. Within the framework of German Idealism, this concept is significant as it relates to the nature of self-consciousness, reality, and the development of ideas.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In German Idealism, absolute is often linked to the idea of the Absolute Spirit, which encompasses all reality and is realized through self-consciousness and cultural development.
2. Fichte viewed the absolute as a dynamic process where individual consciousness asserts itself in opposition to other consciousnesses, thus creating a relational understanding of reality.
3. Schelling approached the absolute as a synthesis of nature and spirit, suggesting that reality unfolds through a dialectical process that reveals deeper truths.
4. Hegel's notion of the absolute culminates in his idea of the dialectical unfolding of history, where contradictions are resolved to reveal an absolute truth.
5. The concept of the absolute challenges relativistic views by proposing that there exists an ultimate reality or truth that remains constant despite individual perspectives.

Review Questions

• How does Fichte's view on the absolute differ from Schelling's perspective?
  • Fichte's conception of the absolute emphasizes individual consciousness asserting itself through interactions with others, highlighting a relational aspect of self-awareness. In contrast, Schelling's view integrates nature and spirit into a unified whole, proposing that reality is revealed through their synthesis. While Fichte focuses on self-consciousness and its opposition to others, Schelling seeks a more holistic understanding of existence that combines both individual and universal elements.
• Discuss the significance of Hegel's idea of Absolute Knowing in relation to his dialectical method.
  • Hegel's concept of Absolute Knowing is crucial because it represents the culmination of his dialectical method, where contradictions are not just resolved but integrated into a higher understanding. This process involves thesis-antithesis-synthesis, leading to a comprehensive grasp of reality as interconnected and dynamic. Absolute Knowing allows individuals to perceive their place within this unfolding reality, ultimately realizing that knowledge itself is part of a larger whole that reflects the unity of spirit and matter.
• Critically evaluate how the notion of the absolute serves as a foundation for knowledge and existence in German Idealism.
  • The notion of the absolute acts as a pivotal foundation for knowledge and existence within German Idealism by positing an ultimate reality that transcends subjective experience. This framework allows philosophers like Fichte, Schelling, and Hegel to construct theories that articulate how consciousness develops through interactions with this absolute. By doing so, they reject relativism and provide a cohesive understanding of reality where truth is not contingent on individual perspectives but emerges from an underlying unity. This critical evaluation reveals both its philosophical strengths in establishing coherent systems of thought and its challenges in addressing pluralistic views on truth.

Related terms

Sublime: A quality of greatness or grandeur that inspires awe and is often linked to the experience of beauty in a way that transcends ordinary perception.

Dialectic: A method of argument involving contradiction and its reconciliation, often used in German Idealism to explain the process of thesis-antithesis-synthesis.

Absolute Knowing: A concept in Hegel's philosophy that represents the highest stage of consciousness where one understands the unity of all knowledge and reality.