We are part of the process that God is going through to obtain self-consciousness. He can’t achieve self-consciousness until he experiences sublation, which requires other people. True sublation occurs when people are mutually involved in a relationship, and they are risking their lives for one another. Everything the individual, as a citizen, does, is all a part of Gods process but we aren’t slaves to him because we are all morale and have a reason for doing the things we do. We are citizens because of history, and all history is the history of God.
I have a few questions for you guys: If we are just here as a part of God’s process of finding himself, what happens when he discovers himself? Does the world come to an end, or is his self-consciousness unobtainable because we change so frequently? What do we gain from our relationship with God? Also, isn’t God supposed to be omniscient? How is he aware of himself enough to create us?
Hey there, nice response, Taylor.
ReplyDeleteI guess addressing your first question, it would depend on the form in which God defines Himself when he becomes self-conscious. If He were to view Himself as the omnipotent Lord that we have made Him out to be, He would most likely fill that role as more of a puppeteer of mankind and everything else. If He were to self actualize as more of a creator, He would probably either act as more of a protector, or an observer, since everything He's set in motion was there to give Him self awareness, God would gain nothing by completely destroying it as soon as he was finished. I feel as though the world would not end, but that it rather depends on what route its creator takes.
But what does all of this say about our individual actions in a society and morality in general? Does our role in God's process of self-actualizing excuse our immoral actions? And what is the purpose of government in a society where God seems to be the despot?
ReplyDeletePippin, I don't think I could possibly have answered that question better.
In response to your second question, Taylor, I would say that God, or Hegel's portrayal of God, cannot be omniscient. I don't think that He can be both all-knowing and constantly self-actualizing. Self-actualization is a process of discovery, so it seems to directly contradict his omniscience. In that case, if the general perception of God is an all-knowing being, does Hegel call for a new definition of God?
Great post and questions, Taylor.
First off, great response, Taylor!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Leah, that God, according to Hegel, cannot be omniscient. That is, if we determine that omniscient for God is also all-knowing. If He IS all knowing, why does He need us help him self-actualize? Unless, we're their/here to go through what will be his history.
But I'm not certain what it means if God is everywhere. Is he just part of the air? Our culture? Or is this a whole other question?
I think that, essentially, Hegel has redefined God and His purpose in creating us.