Hegel and the Absolute Team

Hegel

Many philosophers have conceived of schemas which present a dialectical perspective of the world. For example, Hegel utilized a model of ‘thesis, antithesis, synthesis’ to represent the progress of knowledge. Thesis is the initial representation of reality but this can only be incomplete. Absences and contradictions inherent in the thesis provide gaps for an opposing idea: the antithesis. Eventually the interplay between opposing ideas will realise a more complete revised perspective: the synthesis.

Hegel’s views influenced Karl Marx who applied a similar dialectical model within his political theorizing, but he focused more on the material basis of society than ideas. Marx argued that contradictions within a particular society’s economic base, between the forces of production and social relations, will lead to this model of society being superseded by a more advanced social arrangement.

Football represents a microcosm of the broader social world and is therefore influenced by the same dialectical forces. The most appropriate arrangement of XI players as a team within a defined playing space can be considered a thesis: for much of the second-half of the 20th century 4-4-2 was the footballing thesis. Shortcomings of the 4-4-2 approach were exposed by the antithesis, 3-5-2, which emerged in the late 1980s and 1990s. The extra player in midfield under 3-5-2 meant that teams playing this formation were able to control games due to additional presence in central areas. However, there are also deficiencies with 3-5-2 as only one player is situated on either flank, the wing-back. This has led to the present synthesis!

3-5-2 versus 4-5-1

4-5-1 retains a five-man midfield but also utilizes extra players on the flanks with full-backs and wide midfielders. With the full-backs behind them, and a strong central midfield in place, the wide midfielders can push forwards to prevent the opposing wing-backs from advancing; control of the flanks is thus obtained. Up against 4-5-1, the 3-5-2 also has three central defenders marking one forward and therefore expends unnecessary defensive resources. 4-5-1 is therefore the current on-pitch synthesis. If shortcomings of 4-5-1 are discerned then this may eventually give rise to a new antithesis – and the cycle will begin again.

For Hegel, the conclusion of the dialectic was the Absolute Idea which dissolved the distinction between subject and object as Mind finally understood itself. For Marx the conclusion of the dialectic is communism, which he argued would ameliorate the contradictions and inequities of capitalism and represent the final stage of history. In footballing terms, the conclusion will be a flexible but total on-pitch framework within which player and formation are fused to comprise the Whole. The completeness of this Absolute Team will demonstrate the final stage of footballing progress as there will be no further contradictions left to unravel. The paucity of our understanding at this stage of the dialectic means that we do not have the topological lexicon available to portray this Absolute Team pictorially. However, if you’d like to have a go, please send your rendering to: dr.ted@worldcupcollege.com