Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel was a German philosopher who developed

a dialectical scheme that emphasized the progress of history and of ideas from thesis

to antithesis and thence to a synthesis. Hegel was the last of the great philosophical system
builders of modern times. His work, following upon that of Immanuel Kant, Johann Gottlieb
Fichte, and Friedrich Schelling, thus marks the pinnacle of classical German philosophy

Hegel’s political philosophies rest mainly on his dialectical method. Hegel borrowed his
method from Socrates who is the first exponent of this method. Hegel has himself expressed
his debt to Socrates for this method. The dialectic means to discuss. Socrates believed that
one can arrive at the truth only by constant questioning.
It was the process of exposing contradictions through the method of discussion. Having taken
a clue from Socrates Hegel argued that absolute Idea or the Spirit, in search of self-realisation
moves from being to non-being to becoming.
To put it in simple words, an idea moves from a thesis to antithesis until a synthesis of the
two is found. Synthesis has in it elements of thesis as well as antithesis. In due course, the
synthesis itself acquires the status of a thesis and gives rise to its own antithesis. This process
goes on. In practice, Hegel applied his dialectical method to the domain of ideas.

Dialectic simply refers to the logical discussion of ideas and opinions. It can be said that
every one of us engages in dialectical pursuits every day. However, dialectical idealism
together is getting a little difficult to practice these days.
Hegel’s dialectical idealism means that every idea (thesis) gives rise to a counter idea
(antithesis) and the original idea and counter idea merge to give rise to a new idea (synthesis).
It is a continuous cycle in which then, the synthesis itself acquires the status of a thesis and
gives rise to its own antithesis. This process goes on. Synthesis is not the final word. This
movement of thought absorbs both the initial idea, and its counter idea which is assimilated
within the larger reality.
To simplify it for the sake of understanding, it means that every idea, opinion or viewpoint
even exaggerated or polarizing contains within itself some kernel of truth which drives us
closer to the truth. In this sense, Hegel’s theory of dialects is rooted in contradiction or
negation. Hegel considered contradictions as the driving force of the whole process of
evolution. He believed that the true nature of a thing can be known only if its contradictions
are also known.
The theory submits that the most extreme viewpoints contain contradictions which ultimately
propels the circulation of discourses. And what Hegel suggests is to recognize that the two
conflicting extremes are simultaneously valid even when we don’t agree or believe them. At
the same time it is valid and even necessary to challenge ideas as this conflict of opposites
itself creates movement, progress and ultimately a tolerant culture that encourages inclusive
dialogue.
Dialectical idealism is an enlightening theory that not only helps us understand the
interactions taking place in our society but also teaches us something. It teaches one to
acknowledge unfamiliar ideas and conflicting opinions.
Hegel’s dialectical idealism is a progressive understanding of ideas that can help in curbing
the rise of intolerance in our societies by challenging the shrinking space of opposition and
conflicting ideas.
Thus, Hegel’s dialectical idealism is a progressive understanding of ideas that can help in
curbing the rise of intolerance in our societies by challenging the shrinking space of
opposition and conflicting ideas.