neo-hegelianism
Very LowFormal, Academic, Technical (Philosophy)
Definition
Meaning
A philosophical movement or school of thought that revises, adapts, or reinterprets the ideas of the 19th-century German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel.
A broad range of 19th- and 20th-century philosophies that emerged as reactions to or developments of Hegel's work, often emphasizing different aspects such as his dialectical method, historicism, or absolute idealism, and applying them to new contexts like social theory, politics, or aesthetics.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used in scholarly discourse within philosophy, intellectual history, and political theory. The term denotes not a single doctrine but a family of positions united by their reference to Hegel. It often implies a departure from orthodox or literal Hegelian interpretation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or grammatical differences. The hyphen is standard in both, though it may occasionally be omitted ('neohegelianism').
Connotations
In both varieties, the term carries the same academic/philosophical connotations. British usage might be slightly more frequent in historical discussions of 19th-century British Idealism (e.g., T.H. Green, F.H. Bradley). American usage is common in discussions of 20th-century critical theory (e.g., Frankfurt School).
Frequency
Extremely rare in general discourse. Slightly more frequent in specialized academic publications in both regions, with no significant variance in overall frequency.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[The rise/development/critique] of Neo-HegelianismNeo-Hegelianism [emphasizes/rejects/adapts]...According to Neo-Hegelianism,...thinkers associated with Neo-HegelianismVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[none specific to this term]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
The primary context. Used in philosophy, political theory, history of ideas, and cultural studies departments.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Used as a precise classificatory term in philosophical historiography and meta-philosophy.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- [no direct verb form]
American English
- [no direct verb form]
adverb
British English
- [no direct adverb form]
American English
- [no direct adverb form]
adjective
British English
- The neo-Hegelian approach to history differed markedly from the Marxist one.
- He was influenced by neo-Hegelian thinkers like Bradley.
American English
- Her neo-Hegelian critique of liberalism gained academic attention.
- The debate had distinct neo-Hegelian undertones.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- [Too complex for A2 level]
- [Too complex for B1 level]
- Neo-Hegelianism was an important philosophy in the late 19th century.
- Some philosophers tried to develop Hegel's ideas in new ways, which is called Neo-Hegelianism.
- The lecturer argued that contemporary critical theory remains indebted to certain neo-Hegelian premises about dialectics and recognition.
- British Neo-Hegelianism, exemplified by T.H. Green, sought to reconcile Hegelian idealism with social reform and ethical purpose.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'NEW Hegelianism' (Neo = new). It's a new wave of thought based on the old ideas of the philosopher Hegel.
Conceptual Metaphor
PHILOSOPHICAL MOVEMENTS ARE RIVERS (a 'school' or 'stream' of thought branching from a main source). INTELLECTUAL HISTORY IS A CONVERSATION (engaging with and re-talking Hegel's ideas).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'neo-' as 'новый' in a simplistic way; it implies a systematic philosophical revival, not just 'new'.
- Do not confuse with 'неогегельянство' (the direct calque), which is correct, but ensure the context is strictly academic/philosophical.
- The term is a proper noun for a movement; it should not be used as a general adjective for 'modern Hegelian' without historical reference.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'neo-hegelism' or 'neo-hegelian'.
- Using it as a synonym for any philosophy vaguely inspired by Hegel, rather than specific historical movements.
- Pronouncing 'Hegel' with a hard 'G' (/ˈhɛɡəl/); the standard in philosophy is /ˈheɪɡəl/.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the term 'Neo-Hegelianism' MOST LIKELY be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are distinct. While Marx was influenced by Hegel, Marxism is a materialist philosophy that 'turned Hegel on his head.' Neo-Hegelianism generally remains within the idealist tradition, though some strands (e.g., the Frankfurt School) blend Hegelian and Marxist ideas.
Key figures vary by region: in Britain, T.H. Green and F.H. Bradley; in Italy, Benedetto Croce and Giovanni Gentile; in France, Jean Hyppolite; and influential 20th-century figures like the German-American philosopher Herbert Marcuse.
Yes, in academic philosophy and critical theory. Contemporary debates in social ontology, recognition theory (e.g., Axel Honneth), and hermeneutics often engage deeply with Hegelian and neo-Hegelian frameworks.
It signifies a revival, reinterpretation, or modern adaptation. It marks a conscious return to Hegel's work after a period of criticism or neglect, but with new emphases or applications that distinguish it from the original.