Georg Hegel the German idealist philosopher directs to us a quote that the owl of Minerva spreads its wings only with the falling of the dusk—meaning that philosophy comes to understand a historical condition just as it passes away—understanding events only in hindsight after they happen. According to history, Minerva was the Roman goddess of wisdom, and is often connected with the Greek goddess Athena.
The quote is taken from Hegel’s work published in 1820 called The Philosophy of Right:
Philosophy, as the thought of the world, does not appear until reality has completed its formative process, and made itself ready. History thus corroborates the teaching of the conception that only in the maturity of reality does the ideal appear as counterpart to the real, apprehends the real world in its substance, and shapes it into an intellectual kingdom. When philosophy paints its grey in grey, one form of life has become old, and by means of grey it cannot be rejuvenated, but only known. The owl of Minerva takes its flight only when the shades of night are gathering.
Hegel is hitting us with a discussion about family, civil society, and the state.
Notice that the owl of Minerva — “has been used as a symbol of knowledge, wisdom, perspicacity and erudition throughout the Western world.” Some have concluded that the owl can see in the dark, while others point out that it might act as a predator, using this tool as a weapon. The call of a little owl was thought to have forewarned the death of Julius Caesar.
There is displayed at monuments and places statues of Minerva, often accompanied with the owl. Minerva and owl are depicted on Confederate currency in 1861.
During our age of Postmodernism, the culture is dotted with symbols of the owl. Wisdom is to be found after the event has played itself out and the nocturnal owl of Minerva has spread its wings at dusk.
The account given by Hegel is his personal concept, and critics argue that he is not offering an alternative structure in The Philosophy of Right.
