Philosophical reflection on the relevance of the Early Writings of Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770 – 1831), in the Frankfurt period (1797-1800), regarded as the most important period of his life.

Résumé

The debate herein exposed is aimed towards a confrontation between the autonomy of human will and its heteronomy, or between liberty and law. This crucial problem is also the most discussed within contemporary moral reflection. Is it possible to behave freely and morally by obeying law and to remain in full exercise of liberty? For his reflection, Hegel strongly criticizes Jewish religion and further concentrates on the passage of the New Testament that takes place at the home of Simon the Pharisee, analyzing the behavior of four characters: Mary Magdalene: love and need;  Simon: the power to judge; the disciples: moral interest and Jesus: the voice of beauty and love. Hegel’s approach is summed up in seeking what man must do (morality) as a condition to access religion considered to be man’s happiness. How to open, therefore, the path of morality towards a religion that restores life and beauty, a religion as a living union between God and man? In conclusion, some arguments will be presented to demonstrate the insufficiency of Hegel’s criticism to religion in the Old Testament. Obedience appears as a human response to God’s nomination rather than as a response to law.