In The Paradigm of Recognition. Freedom as Overcoming the Fear of Death Paul Cobben elaborates a paradigm of recognition based on Hegel’s Phenomenology of Spirit.

This article argues against the opinion that only the world-state can do justice to the universality of the moral person. The exclusion by the legal order of a nation state does not necessarily contradict the universality of the moral person, but can rather be the presupposition of its validity: namely if this legal order derives its legitimacy from being the historical institutionalisation of universal freedom. It is discussed how nation states, which legitimate themselves accordingly, must support, on penalty of inconsistency, (...) the formation of a federation of states.This, however, does not necessary imply the formation of a world community without exclusion. The possibilities to eliminate illegitimate states or to prevent the statelessness of human beings are limited.On the one hand the right of intervention in illegitimate states, presupposes the existence of an internal opposition, which can take over power after intervention; on the other hand, the admittance of stateless people as new citizens by the nations states, may not endanger the stability of the polity. In the last resort, the assistance of helpless individuals is a moral duty. (shrink)

The experiences of the communist countries in Eastern Europe have made clear that the centralized planned economy does not function. From Hegel?s perspective, it can be said that this experience is not just coincidental: the abolition of the free market includes the abolition of the institutional framework that enables insight into the formation of particular interests. Without this insight, it becomes impossible to determine the content of the general good. Therefore, Hegel?s alternative, self-conscious planning of the economic process while the (...) free market is preserved, seems to be unavoidable. However, it remains highly problematic whether or how this connection between planning and free market can be understood. In this article I investigate whether Hegel?s concept of the corporation can help in finding an answer to this problem. nema. (shrink)

This book shows that German Idealism can partipate in the contemporary debate on education: it is not only helpful in raising relevant questions, but can also be transformed into positions which can deal with the pluriformity that characterizes contemporary society.

In a criticism of Habermas, Honneth,Rawls and others, this work argues that this relation has to be developed as a systematic elaboration of the mind-body ...

In Paul Cobben’s, Value in Capitalist Society , Marx’s criticism of Capitalism is conceived of as an immanent criticism of Hegel. This perspective leads to an alternative conception of value which is fully compatible with the free market.

In the history of Chinese and European philosophy, metaphysics has played an outstanding role: it is a theoretical framework which provides the basis for a philosophical understanding of the world and the self. A theory of the self is well integrated in a metaphysical understanding of the totality of nature as a dynamic process of continuous changes. According to this view, the purpose of existence can be conceived of as the development and realization of the full potential given to the (...) individual by its nature. In regard to human nature specifically, this idea of self-realization includes the development of all cognitive faculties as well as of the moral character. Metaphysics has, however, suffered a loss of importance in current debates, especially in ethics. As a result, we observe the emergence of such philosophical views as moral skepticism and even nihilism. The consequence of this tendency has been the renunciation of a claim to understanding and to providing a solid ground for ethics. Yet an intercultural dialogue can provide us with some hope as the consolidation of debates on crucial topics of our traditions might indeed serve as the basis for a more powerful philosophy in the future. (shrink)