Abstract

A certain analogy can be drawn between Hegel’s central views on material objects and Hegel’s views on persons. To an extent, Hegel himself indicates this analogy. Yet to date, surprisingly, no one has commented upon it. Various interpreters have suggested that Hegel is an opponent of Cartesian dualism, and, in this connection, that Hegel’s philosophy might offer useful commentary on problems about mind and body currently under discussion. A study of the analogy mentioned would make it possible to state just how Hegel is an opponent of Cartesian dualism, and to show just what contribution Hegel has to make toward contemporary discussion. Such a study is the topic of the present paper.