Geist (Spirit): History of the Concept

Eric R. Lybeck

doi:10.1016/B978-0-08-097086-8.03120-2

Geist (Spirit): History of the Concept

Eric R. Lybeck^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Manchester Institute of Education

Girton College

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

Abstract

In the century before the 'Classical' period of social science, a number of modes of scholarship made use of the concept of Geist - translated in English as 'Spirit' or 'Mind.' The concept was relational, and connected the universal and particular in an organic unity. This article traces the history of the concept from its origins in Christian theology to Montesquieu's Spirit of the Laws. Later applications in German philosophy included Herder's nationalism and Hegel's dialectical idealism. The concept had direct influence on the historical legal sciences until falling into disrepute as a result of application in spiritualism and Nazi ideology.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences: Second Edition
Publisher	Elsevier BV
Pages	666-670
Number of pages	5
ISBN (Electronic)	9780080970875
ISBN (Print)	9780080970868
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-097086-8.03120-2
Publication status	Published - 26 Mar 2015

Keywords

Cultural anthropology
Dialectic
Germany
Idealism
Legal science
Linguistics
Max Weber
Mind
Montesquieu
Spirit
Wilhelm Dilthey

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10.1016/B978-0-08-097086-8.03120-2

Cite this

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KW - Montesquieu

KW - Spirit

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ER -

Geist (Spirit): History of the Concept

Abstract

Keywords

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