Hegel on Purpose

Abstract

In this paper we propose a new interpretation of Hegel’s views on action and responsibility, defending it against its most plausible exegetical competitors. Any exposition of Hegel will face both terminological and substantive challenges, and so we place, from the outset, some interpretational constraints. The paper divides into two parts. In Part I, we point out that Hegel makes a number of distinctions which any sensible account of responsibility should indeed make. Our aim here is to show that Hegel at least has the materials for a sensible and nuanced account, whatever the precise details of how they hang together. Part II then turns to a hard question concerning the relation of two different aspects of our deeds to responsibility. We consider five alternate ways of relieving the tension in Hegel’s text, before putting forth our own, preferred, solution. S