Hegelian

American  

[hey-gey-lee-uhn, hi-jee-] / heɪˈgeɪ li ən, hɪˈdʒi- /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Hegel or his philosophical system.

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noun

1. a person who accepts the philosophical principles of Hegel.

2. an authority or expert on the writings of Hegel.

Etymology

Origin of Hegelian

First recorded in 1830–40; Hegel + -ian

Example Sentences

The biggest flaw in the Hegelian viewpoint about supposedly great men is that his entire hypothesis about an unfolding historical process is flat wrong.

From Salon • Mar. 28, 2026

For example, Mr. Mansfield dismisses the idea of a Judeo-Christian tradition as a Hegelian confection.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026

A professor at Columbian College, which became George Washington University, he wrote several books on Hegelian idealistic philosophy during his residence.

From Washington Post • Oct. 18, 2022

But what happens when the other kind of History — academic, not Hegelian — starts to collapse?

From Seattle Times • Sep. 2, 2022

But while Dewey employs the language of idealism, it is doubtful whether he has grasped the full significance of the "concrete universal" of the Hegelian school.

From John Dewey's logical theory by Howard, Delton Thomas