Hegelian

[ hey-gey-lee-uhn, hi-jee- ]

adjective

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

noun

1. a person who accepts the philosophical principles of Hegel.
2. an authority or expert on the writings of Hegel.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Hegelian¹

First recorded in 1830–40; Hegel + -ian

Example Sentences

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

From Washington Post

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

From Seattle Times

Barack Obama sounded distinctly Hegelian when he preached: “There is not a liberal America and a conservative America — there is the United States of America.”

From Washington Post

Carlisle reminds us that in “Either/Or,” Kierkegaard’s first published work, he presents Hegel’s thought as “nihilistic” and used the book, in part, to “depose Hegelian philosophy.”

From Washington Post

Whether or not you buy the Hegelian theory of tragedy, it’s indisputable that the ancient tragedians were drawn to dramatic situations that didn’t have obvious solutions.

From Los Angeles Times