Hegel's Critique of Liberalism Through the Relation Between Freedom and Nature. An approach from the Philosophy of Right

Abstract

In this text I want to read the way in which Hegel solves the problem of determinism in a philosophical-political key. The Hegelian solution is that we are able to rewrite our first nature of instincts, functions and biological needs into a second nature of refined habits and needs, mediated by sense and culture: we thus avoid both determinism and a dualism between nature and freedom. With this in mind, the article shows that Hegel’s critique of liberalism lies essentially in showing that the liberal tradition of negative freedom and the state as a mere instrument for the protection of property presupposes a problematic and deficient understanding of the relation between freedom and nature. By accepting the Hegelian solution to the problem of determinism, we can not only criticize liberalism, but also understand certain violations of freedom - not equality or solidarity - produced by modern societies and invisible to the liberal framework.