The conceptions of geist and sittlichkeit in the "Phenomenology of sprit"- foundational work for a reasonable practice

The concept of spirit is a kind of concept that is defined by different meanings both in philosophy and out side the philosophy and historically it originates from sources long before Hegel. Therefore, the concept of spirit has an important place in the history of philosophy and discussion on it continues. Concept of spirit is one of the fundemental concepts of practical philosophy of Hegel. Hegel described the concept of spirit as an ethical concept in Phenomenology of Spirit. The concept of spirit comes from the concept of reason. On the other hand, neither studies on concept of spirit nor researches on Phenomenology of Spirit do give importance to Hegel's approach to the concept of the spirit as an ethical concept as it may deserve. In this thesis, the concept of spirit, which Hegel described in Phenomenology of Spirit, is described as an ethical concept. Firstly, agent theory in Classical European and Classical German Philosophy is given as Hegel is affected by them as he develops his concept of spirit. Secondly, history of Phenomenology of Spirit in accordance with the development of Hegel's thought is given. After presenting external and internal formation process of Phenomenology of Spirit, explanation of the concept of the spirit as an ethical concept is given. To be able togive the theoritical root of the spirit as an ethical concept, the concept of the reason is explained with the formation process in Phenomenology of Spirit. The concept of spirit is stated as the expression and the appearance of the theoretical reason. Finally, the meaning of practical concept ofspirit is explained, and how spirit presents itself practically, therefore how it changes and ethically improvesthe world.