Abstract

The concept of eternity frequently and prominently appears in Hegel’s works. Yet, Hegel neither gives an explicit clarification of his use of the term ›eternity‹ nor does he offer a fully fledged systematic account of eternity. This paper attempts to provide a remedy here by reconstructing the outlines of a Hegelian theory of eternity on the basis of remarks that can be found mainly in Hegel’s Philosophy of Nature from his Encyclopedia. First, I explain and defend the claim that Hegel thinks of eternity as non-successive time that is bent back on itself. Then, I offer a critical discussion of Hegel’s view on how humans may experience such eternity through the religious practice of penitence, atonement and forgiveness.