The Accessible HegelGeorg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel was one of the most influential philosophers of the 19th century. Unfortunately, his work is notoriously difficult to understand. There is thus a need for a clear presentation of his major philosophical contributions to help students and other interested persons in approaching the work of this important thinker. Philosopher Michael Allen Fox admirably fills this need in this lucid explanation of Hegel's ideas. Fox discusses at length the chief component of Hegel's systematic philosophy -- the concept of the dialectic. According to Hegel, in a world of becoming and persistent change, reason progresses through conflict and the resolutions that arise from the dialectic of opposing elements. The tumultuous clash of opposites leads to ever new advances in human knowledge and culture. Fox also considers many of Hegel's other ideas: his difficult notion of the Absolute, the final stage of history in which reason attains perfect mastery of the world and thought realizes its full potential; his dynamic conception of truth as evolving toward total comprehensiveness; the master-slave pattern of human relationships; the social structure of the self; the varied political interpretations and adaptations of Hegel's philosophy on both the Left and the Right; and many other aspects of Hegel's complex system. For both beginners and those already familiar with Hegel's work, this excellent overview of one of philosophy's great geniuses offers many clarifications and insights. |
Common terms and phrases
A. V. Miller A. V. Miller Oxford achievement activity actual Arthur Schopenhauer asserts Baruch Spinoza become chapter civil society claim Clarendon Press cognition coherence comprehensive concepts consciousness contradiction dialectical elements emerges emphasis in original Encyclopaedia Logic entity essence ethical everything example existence experience expression F. H. Bradley freedom Friedrich Nietzsche G. W. F. Hegel H. S. Harris Hegel believed Hegel's Logic Hegel's philosophy Hegel's theory history of philosophy human Ibid ideas Immanuel Kant individual insight Kant Kaufmann kind knowledge Lectures limited losophy matter Maurice Chevalier means metanarrative metaphysics nature negation Nietzsche object ophy outlook panentheism Phenomenology of Spirit philos Philosophy of Right political position principle properties rational reality reason religion result Schopenhauer sciousness self-consciousness selfhood sense slave social Søren Kierkegaard standpoint things thinkers thinking thought tion trans transcend true ultimate understanding vision Walter Kaufmann York Young Hegelians