Coscienza europea e modernità: Hegel e Croce, filosofi della libertà

This paper explores the concept of freedom starting from Hegel's and Croce's reflections on two different levels: first, freedom is considered as the essence of the human being and their actions (§2); second, as it is related to the historical course and in particular to the development of the European self-consciousness (§3). Bringing to light the principle of modern Europe through the thought of two great 'philosophers of freedom', a comparison is developed between Croce and Hegel which, on this issue, can bring out the profound legacy of Hegel's philosophy.