The concept of spirit is central in Hegel's and in Edith Stein's philosophy. They have a common root in Christianity, and both consider that spirit defines human being essentially. They claim, moreover, that spirit cannot be reduced to the ability to know or to reason, but also implies the ability to overcome the limits of its finiteness and open oneself to the other, which includes finite spiritual beings, but especially the infinite Spirit, the Absolute or God. However there are also important differences between both conceptions concerning the relationship between spirit and nature and between freedom and history, and also about the meaning of the State regard to moral life.