On the religion of art: the presence of the young Hegel in the Greek antiquity of Kostas Papaioannou

Abstract

This article explores the profound intellectual dialogue between the Greek philosopher Kostas Papaioannou and the thought of G.W.F. Hegel, focusing specifically on their shared interpretation of Greek antiquity. The author argues that Hegel’s influence is present throughout Papaioannou’s work, from his early essays like Plato the Knower to his mature studies on art and civilization. Central to this analysis is the Hegelian concept of the "religion of art" (Kunstreligion) and the role of "folk religion" (Volksreligion) in reconciling the individual with their historical presence. The study examines how Papaioannou adopts the Hegelian view of tragedy as a dialectical bridge to democracy, while simultaneously engaging in a critical "patricide" of the German philosopher’s later systematic panlogism. Ultimately, the paper highlights how both thinkers view ancient Greek culture not as an incomplete historical stage, but as a unique moment of communion between the masses and their historical destiny through myth and art.