Book excerpt: In The Idealism of Freedom, Klaus Vieweg argues for a Hegelian turn in philosophy. Hegel's idealism of freedom contains a number of epoch-making ideas that articulate a new understanding of freedom, which still shape contemporary philosophy. Hegel establishes a modern logic, as well as the idea of a social state. With his distinction between civil society and the state he makes an innovative contribution to political philosophy. Hegel defends the idea of freedom for all in a modern society and is a sharp critic of every nationalism and racism. Vieweg's study introduces these ideas into perspectives on freedom in contemporary philosophy.