Publication Details

Abstract

The category of self-consciousness in the beginnings of philosophy acquired almost a central importance (Socrates). Later on it was understood as a rational substantiation of authenticity of existence (Descartes). Hegel extended essentially the meaning of this category when he included into, it not only the abstract I, but the consciousness of the other I, the forms of social consciousness. The author analyzes the polemic of professor Hinrichs where he reproaches the authors of The Trom bone, who probably were Bruno Bauer and Marx, that they had overstimated the category of self-consciousness. In the year 1844 — 1845 B. Bauer fixed his mind romantically to the category of self-consciousness, while Marx refused it radically, passing to the materialist standpoint (Saint Family). Instead of self-consciousness, he puts the whole, total man and all his affirmations in the objective world (Manuscripts). The category of self-consciousness is to he seen in. connection with other categories, that of self-cognition, self-feeling, self-realization and self-evaluation.