RightHegelians

The Right Hegelians were a school of thought that emerged in the mid-19th century, developing from the philosophy of Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel. Following Hegel's death, his followers split into two main factions, the Right Hegelians and the Left Hegelians, based on their interpretations of his complex system, particularly his ideas on religion, politics, and history.

The Right Hegelians, also known as the "Old Hegelians," generally held a more conservative interpretation of Hegel's philosophy. They emphasized the reconciliation of reason and reality, often seeing the existing social and political order as the rational culmination of historical development. Key figures associated with the Right Hegelians include Karl Friedrich Göschel and Philipp Marheinecke. They tended to view Hegel's dialectic not as a call for revolutionary change, but as a means to understand and affirm the established institutions.

In the realm of religion, Right Hegelians often sought to synthesize Hegelian philosophy with traditional Christian doctrines, interpreting Christian dogma in a philosophical, allegorical manner. They believed that Hegel's philosophy provided a rational framework for understanding the truths of religion. Politically, they were generally supportive of the Prussian state and its institutions, seeing them as the embodiment of the rational spirit in history. Their focus was on the continuity and preservation of established order, drawing upon Hegel's concept of the state as the realization of ethical life. Their influence waned as more radical interpretations of Hegel gained prominence.