


Hardcover
Published: 9th May 2005
ISBN: 9780415312073
Number Of Pages: 353
Hegel (1770-1831) is one of the major philosophers of the nineteenth century. Many of the major philosophical movements of the twentieth century - from existentialism to analytic philosophy - grew out of reactions against Hegel. He is also one of the hardest philosophers to understand and his complex ideas, though rewarding, are often misunderstood.
In this magisterial and lucid introduction, Frederick Beiser covers every major aspect of Hegel's thought. He places Hegel in the historical context of nineteenth-century Germany whilst clarifying the deep insights and originality of Hegel's philosophy.
A masterpiece of clarity and scholarship, Hegel is both the ideal starting point for those coming to Hegel for the first time and essential reading for any student or scholar of nineteenth century philosophy.
Additional features:
'Beiser ... wants to provide not so much exegesis as a comprehensive overview aimed primarily at the first-time reader. The result is in my judgment little short of a triumph. In 350 pages Beiser manages to suggest much of the sweep and challenge of Hegel's thought, in direct and straightforward prose, yet without shirking the procedural difficulties of Hegel's arguments and positions. ' - Martin Donougho, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews
'An impressive achievement - I have no doubt students will find it very useful, and that it will be widely adopted as a teaching text: it is written in a clear and accessible manner; it covers the right topics to the right level; it engages with a wide range of Hegel's works; it is critical, while also being sympathetic; and it deals authoritatively with various matters of scholarship.' - Robert Stern, University of Sheffield
'The best available account in the English language of the whole sweep of Hegel's philosophy. It will be a valuable resource for students encountering Hegel for the first time. It also makes a significant and important contribution to the interpretation and discussion of Hegel's philosophy.' - Sean Sayers, University of Kent
'A very clear introduction - its greatest strengths consist in its clarity and its ability to contextualize Hegel's philosophy ... masterfully done ... the presentation is clear and engaging.'
- Paul Redding, University of Sydney
Preface | p. xi |
Abbreviations | p. xiv |
Chronology | p. xix |
Introduction | p. 1 |
A Question of Relevance | p. 1 |
A Question of Method | p. 3 |
Early Ideals and Context | p. 19 |
Cultural Context | p. 21 |
The Twilight of the Enlightenment | p. 21 |
Anti-foundationalism | p. 23 |
The Pantheism Controversy | p. 25 |
The Birth of Nihilism | p. 27 |
The Rise of Historicism | p. 29 |
The Theory-Practice Debate | p. 31 |
Early Ideals | p. 34 |
The Romantic Legacy | p. 34 |
The Highest Good | p. 36 |
Ethical Ideals | p. 39 |
Political Ideal | p. 41 |
Religious Ideal | p. 42 |
The Challenge of Division | p. 47 |
Metaphysics | p. 51 |
Absolute Idealism | p. 53 |
The Question of Metaphysics | p. 53 |
What is the Absolute? | p. 57 |
Subject-Object Identity | p. 61 |
The Meaning of 'Idealism' | p. 65 |
The Synthesis of Idealism and Realism, Freedom and Necessity | p. 71 |
The Myth of Panlogicism? | p. 76 |
The Organic Worldview | p. 80 |
The Organic Dimension | p. 80 |
The Rise of Organicism | p. 82 |
Classical and Christian Origins | p. 87 |
The Spinoza Legacy | p. 90 |
The Kantian Legacy and Challenge | p. 95 |
Reply to Kant | p. 100 |
In Defense of Naturphilosophie | p. 104 |
Myths about Naturphilosophie | p. 107 |
The Realm of Spirit | p. 110 |
Life and Spirit | p. 110 |
The Spirit of Love | p. 112 |
The Metaphysics of Love | p. 116 |
The Transformation of Love | p. 118 |
The Religious Dimension | p. 124 |
The Unending Debate | p. 124 |
Early Critique of Christianity | p. 126 |
Reversal in Frankfurt | p. 132 |
A New Religion | p. 135 |
Mature Standpoint | p. 139 |
Concept of God | p. 142 |
The Identity Thesis | p. 146 |
Epistemological Foundations | p. 153 |
The Dialectic | p. 155 |
A Critical Foundation for Metaphysics | p. 155 |
Myths and Legends about Dialectic | p. 159 |
Structure of the Dialectic in the Logic | p. 163 |
Task of Dialectic in the Phenomenology | p. 169 |
Solipsism and Intersubjectivity | p. 174 |
The Specter of Nihilism | p. 174 |
The Context of the Argument | p. 178 |
The Dialectic of Desire | p. 182 |
Lordship and Bondage | p. 185 |
Social and Political Philosophy | p. 193 |
Freedom and the Foundation of Right | p. 195 |
Metaphysics and Politics | p. 195 |
The Concept of Freedom | p. 197 |
A Betrayer of Liberty? | p. 202 |
The Foundation of Law | p. 205 |
Machiavelli's Challenge | p. 214 |
The Idealism of a Reformer | p. 219 |
Hegel's Theory of the State | p. 224 |
Hegel's Political Project | p. 224 |
The Critique of Liberalism and Communitarianism | p. 227 |
Ethical Life | p. 233 |
The Organic State | p. 239 |
Civil Society | p. 243 |
The Structure and Powers of the State | p. 251 |
Philosophy of Culture | p. 259 |
Philosophy of History | p. 261 |
Hegel and Historicism | p. 261 |
Reason in History | p. 263 |
The Cunning of Reason | p. 267 |
The Problem of Evil | p. 270 |
The Meaning of Life | p. 276 |
Hegel versus the Existentialists | p. 278 |
Aesthetics | p. 282 |
The Paradox of Hegel's Aesthetics | p. 282 |
The Subordination Thesis | p. 286 |
Art as Cognition | p. 291 |
Death of Art | p. 298 |
Epilogue: The Rise and Fall of the Hegelian School | p. 307 |
Notes | p. 314 |
Further Reading | p. 333 |
Bibliography | p. 337 |
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved. |
ISBN: 9780415312073
ISBN-10: 0415312078
Series: Routledge Philosophers
Audience:
Tertiary; University or College
Format:
Hardcover
Language:
English
Number Of Pages: 353
Published: 9th May 2005
Country of Publication: GB
Dimensions (cm): 22.35 x 14.48
x 3.3
Weight (kg): 0.59
Edition Number: 1