Education in the context of Hegel’s „Second Nature“

Abstract

In this paper, we discuss the Helgels conception of education (Bidlung) in the context of „secondnature“. By „second nature“, Hegel understands „the world of the spirit produced from itself“.(Philosophy of Right, § 4). This world of the spirit is the „life world“ (Lebenswelt) of traditionalart and culture in which liberty has established itself as a fundamental value. In Hegel’s view,the task of education (Bildung) and formation in the philosophical tradition is to achieve thatacceptance of morality which becomes „second nature“ of the individual. Education in Hegelis the process by which the individual mind raises itself to universality. Education (Bildung)as elevation of consciousness to knowledge (Wissenschaft) is not transfer and accumulation ofinformation, but the formation of the thinking subject. Accordingly, formation is interpreted asthe critical appropriation and mediation of culture.