Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel was a prominent German philosopher born in 1770, known for his contributions to German Idealism. His work emphasized the development of ideas through a process called the dialectic, which involves the resolution of contradictions to achieve higher understanding. Hegel's philosophy has had a profound impact on various fields, including politics, history, and art. Hegel's most famous works include Phenomenology of Spirit and The Science of Logic. He believed that reality is a dynamic process shaped by the unfolding of the Absolute Spirit, which manifests through history and human consciousness. His ideas continue to influence contemporary thought and philosophy.