Abstract

This work examines the theories of right and society of the German Idealists as an outgrowth and transformation of natural law thought. It considers the combination of natural law themes with the Idealist theory of self-consciousness and recognition and with the collective idea of society as a people. ;The investigation begins with Fichte's Foundation of Natural Right and ends with Hegel's Philosophy of Right. A direct comparison of the two works would show them to be very different in orientation as well as in their specific interpretations of right and society. However, by traversing the course of social theories developed by these philosophers, a significant continuity emerges. The result is that Hegel can be recognized to have resolved difficulties inherent in Fichte's Natural Right. These difficulties were also addressed by Fichte himself in his later, frequently neglected social and political works. Accordingly, the two can be compared along these lines. ;It is shown that Hegel's critique of Fichte's Natural Right does not apply to Fichte's later works by virtue of the fact that they acknowledge most of the same defects which Hegel identified. It is noteworthy that Fichte appears to have reached these conclusions independently, not as a result of Hegel's criticisms. So the broad agreement of these philosophers is uncovered, as are their common concerns, such as that of transcending purely individualistic or collective models of society. Specific presuppositions which lead them from this common ground to their seemingly contrary conclusions are isolated. Problems which prevented Fichte from satisfactorily executing his ideas are analyzed, and the means by which Hegel was able, in general, to successfully avoid or overcome these problems are examined. Hegel's social theory is interpreted as a development of key concepts and ideas advanced by Fichte. Finally, some of Hegel's contributions in this area are outlined