An Analysis of Fetishism in Hegel's Philosophy of Religion

Abstract

In Hegel's system of religious philosophy, fetishism is considered religion’s starting point, representing the beginning of the objectification of self-consciousness. Fetish can be subdivided into direct and indirect witchcraft. Hegel analyzes in detail the African religions representing plain witchcraft and the Chinese religions of the Qing dynasty representing indirect witchcraft. Hegel revealed the structure of the emperor's sacrifice to heaven in Chinese indirect mysticism in the Qing Dynasty and used the "religion of degree" to explain the moral connotation of "Tian" and "Dao.” On the one hand, Hegel's fetishism represents a very integrated reflection on the significance of "fetish worship" in the history of philosophical thought. On the other hand, because it is confined within the methodological framework of Hegel's spiritual, intelligent system, it has the boundaries of an innovative design with an intense color of "Eurocentrism.”