{"id":903124,"date":"2026-09-17T15:45:03","date_gmt":"2026-09-17T13:45:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grundlinien.de\/?page_id=903124"},"modified":"2026-09-17T15:45:04","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T13:45:04","slug":"who-according-to-hegel-has-to-be-rational","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/grundlinien.de\/en\/who-according-to-hegel-has-to-be-rational\/","title":{"rendered":"Who, according to Hegel, has to be rational?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In brief:<\/strong> Everyone<\/strong> \u2013 but in different ways. Whereas in everyday life reason often works \u201ebehind the backs\u201c of those involved, for one particular group, the universal estate<\/em>, it is an express duty of office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unconscious reason: civil society<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the sphere of the economy \u2013 the estate of trade and industry \u2013 the individual need not constantly have the whole in view. The baker may be self-interested and sell bread rolls in order to earn money. Reason sees to it, as it were behind the backs of those acting, that out of everyone\u2019s self-interest there comes in the end the satisfaction of everyone\u2019s needs \u2013 the construction of \u00a7 189<\/a>\u2013\u00a7 208<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conscious reason: the universal estate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From the universal estate<\/em>, by contrast, Hegel demands reflected rationality. Since these people make the universal interests their business, they cannot afford mere arbitrary will; they must be rational by virtue of their office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who belongs to it today?<\/strong> Not only civil servants in ministries, but everyone who exercises a public function for the whole, for instance:<\/p>\n\n\n\n