EN
The author considers the place of the individual in the course of history which unfolds on the ground of the self-realisation of the absolute. The focus is on Hegel’s Phenomenology of Spirit, particularly on the chapter „Rational self-consciousness which is self-realising“ in which Hegel explores the relation between substantiality and subjectivity in the phase of the emergence of modern society. In this phase of history man shows his self-consciousness and free individuality, but at the same time suffers the loss of his substantial grounding. Hegel’s philosophy presents a grand attempt at uniting these two perspectives according to which the full development of peculiarity and uniqueness is in harmony with and a condition of the fulfillment of an impersonal, dynamically-realising, absolute principle. The author argues that Hegel’s metaphysical framework does not provide sufficient space for the recognition of the authenticity of man, emphasised in modern discussion, since subjectivity itself is, to a certain extent, the manifestation of the absolute. But, if we adopt Hegel’s metaphysical standpoint, another interesting prospect opens up: the individual satisfies his essential need of a sense of belonging to a whole, and gradually understands that he is part of a grand process and that he shares in the common work of mankind.