What is rational is actual and what is actual is rational. Hegel's Outlines of t
he Philosophy of Right is one of the greatest works of moral, social, and politi
cal philosophy. It contains significant ideas on justice, moral responsibility,
family life, economic activity, and the political structure of the state - all m
atters of profound interest to us today.
Hegel's aim is to lay out the variou
s forms that human freedom must take on, if it is to be true freedom. He seeks t
o show that genuine human freedom does not consist in doing whatever we please,
but involves living with others in accordance with publicly recognized rights an
d laws. Hegel demonstrates that institutions such as the family and the state pr
ovide the context in which individuals can flourish and enjoy full freedom.
