Is Hegel Cool? Josh Wretzel's "The Coolness of the Absolute" Live at Webster's Cafe in State College, PA

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Dec 10, 2024

Josh Wretzel, a Penn State philosophy professor, delves into Hegel’s Jena Phenomenology as a form of moral psychology. He uniquely connects Hegelian concepts with the evolution of jazz, specifically the cool sounds of Miles Davis. Wretzel discusses three types of moral personality, reflecting on the impacts of spiritlessness and societal challenges. He emphasizes the importance of recollection and reflection, showcasing how jazz musicians express their lived experiences through music, urging listeners to engage meaningfully with philosophy and art.

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INSIGHT

Hegel's Moral Psychology

Hegel's Phenomenology of Spirit can be interpreted as a moral psychology.
It explores three moral personalities culminating in absolute knowing, linked to coolness.

INSIGHT

Kant's Apperception

Kant's concept of apperception posits that thinking must be possible to accompany all representations.
Consciousness is tied to thinking; no consciousness exists without self-consciousness.

ANECDOTE

Socrates' Coolness

Socrates exemplifies coolness by challenging the frenzy of the city and the symposium.
His composed responses in the face of conviction demonstrate his cool demeanor.

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