Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel was a German philosopher born in 1770, known for his contributions to idealism and dialectics. He developed a complex system of thought that emphasized the development of ideas through contradictions and their resolutions, often summarized as thesis, antithesis, and synthesis. His works, such as Phenomenology of Spirit and The Science of Logic, explore the nature of reality, consciousness, and history. Hegel's philosophy has influenced various fields, including political theory, history, and art. He believed that history unfolds rationally, leading to the realization of human freedom. His ideas laid the groundwork for later thinkers, including Karl Marx and Jean-Paul Sartre.