Hegel's Influence on Marx: A Closer Look at Their Philosophical Legacy

Philippe Georges Schinner

The relationship between two seminal figures in the history of philosophy—Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel and Karl Marx—has been the subject of much discussion and analysis. While Hegel died before Marx took up his studies, the impact of Hegel's philosophy on Marx can hardly be overstated. This essay aims to explore Hegel's life and thought, and delve into how his ideas influenced Marx's own revolutionary theories.

Hegel: The Precursor

Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770-1831) was a prominent and influential philosopher of the 19th century. Born in Stuttgart, Germany, Hegel is best known for his work in the philosophy of German Idealism, where he sought to synthesize the ideas of his predecessors, such as Immanuel Kant and David Hume. He is particularly famous for his Phenomenology of Spirit and Science of Logic, which laid the groundwork for his philosophy of history and nature, as well as his dialectical method.

Marianna Marx and the Early Encounter

Karl Marx (1818-1883) was greatly influenced by Hegel, particularly during his studies at the University of Berlin. In fact, it is often said that it was through his encounters with students who had known Hegel personally, such as Henrich Lahgemann, that Marx first came to know about Hegel's philosophy. Henrich Laue, a student of Hegel, taught at the University where Marx studied. It was through Laue that Marx gained access to the ideas of the great German philosopher. Although Marx died before Hegel, an interesting and could have been an academically rich discussion in a hypothetical meeting.

The Philosophical Legacy of Hegel

Hegel's philosophy is often divided into three parts: Preliminary Propositions, Phenomenology of Spirit, and Science of Logic. The Preliminary Propositions offers a prelude to his dialectical method, which he would further develop in his later works. The Phenomenology of Spirit examines the evolution of consciousness through a series of historical stages. The Science of Logic, on the other hand, provides a systematic account of the universal laws governing the dialectical relationship between opposites. This method, which Hegel called the Hegelian dialectic, became a central concept in Marxist theory.

Marx's Adoption of German Idealism

Marx was deeply influenced by German Idealism, particularly the dialectical method. In fact, the dialectical approach of Hegel was transformed into materialist dialectics by Marx. Hegel’s philosophical system, with its emphasis on the process of development and change through conflict and resolution, laid the groundwork for Marx's critique of capitalism. Marx saw history as a process of struggle between classes, culminating in the inevitability of a proletarian revolution.

Marx's adaptation of Hegel's philosophy is evident in his works such as the Thesis on Feuerbach, Economic and Philosophical Manuscripts of 1844, and Das Kapital. In these works, Marx uses Hegel’s dialectical method to analyze the economic relations of society and the class struggle that defines human history. Marx's famous statement that "the philosophers have only interpreted the world in various ways; the point is to change it" echoes Hegel's emphasis on the transformative power of reason.

Conclusion: A Centuries-Long Intellectual Legacy

The relationship between Hegel and Marx exemplifies the profound impact of one philosopher on another. While Hegel could not directly comment on Marx's work, his philosophical contributions undoubtedly provided the intellectual foundation for Marx's revolutionary ideas. The study of both philosophers is not only an exploration of their individual ideas but also a deeper understanding of the development of modern thought.

Through their shared engagement with German Idealism and the dialectical method, Hegel and Marx created a powerful legacy that continues to influence academic and political discourse to this day.