The Blackwell Guide to Hegels Phenomenology of Spirit

This groundbreaking collective commentary on the whole of Hegel’s Phenomenology of Spirit, written by a select group of leading international scholars, peels back the layers of Hegel’s great work to reveal new insights into one of the most challenging works in the history of Western philosophy.

By closely analyzing the original text, each essay illuminates the philosophical issues addressed in each section of Hegel’s work. By considering the role and function of each section of text within the Phenomenology as whole, these essays achieve an impressive degree of cohesion. Individually and collectively, these essays also address the question of the internal unity of the Phenomenology, shedding further light on its true cohesiveness.

The essays are suitable for advanced undergraduates and non–specialists, whilst also making original contributions to the field. The Guide begins with a synopsis of Hegel’s Phenomenology by the editor based on the Guide’s contributions, and features a select Bibliography of further sources on each of the chapters of the Phenomenology.

Notes on Contributors.

References.

Introduction.

1. Hegel’s Phenomenological Method and Analysis of Consciousness: Kenneth R. Westphal (University of Kent, Canterbury).

2. Desire, Recognition, and the Relation between Bondsman and Lord: Frederick Neuhouser (Columbia University, New York).

3. Freedom and Thought: Stoicism, Skepticism, and Unhappy Consciousness: Franco Chiereghin (University of Padua).

4. The Challenge of Reason: From Certainty to Truth: Cinzia Ferrini (University of Trieste).

5. Reason Observing Nature: Cinzia Ferrini (University of Trieste).

6. Shapes of Active Reason: The Law of the Heart, Retrieved Virtue, and What Really Matters: Terry Pinkard (Georgetown University, Washington, DC).

7. The Ethics of Freedom: Hegel on Reason as Law–Giving and Law–Testing: David Couzens Hoy (University of California, Santa Cruz).

8. Hegel, Antigone, and Feminist Critique: The Spirit of Ancient Greece: Jocelyn B. Hoy (University of California, Santa Cruz).

9. Hegel’s Critique of the Enlightenment in “The Struggle of the Enlightenment with Superstition”: Jürgen Stolzenberg (Martin–Luther–Universität, Halle–Wittenburg).

10. “Morality” in Hegel’s Phenomenology of Spirit: Frederick C. Beiser (Syracuse University, New York).

11. Religion, History, and Spirit in Hegel’s Phenomenology of Spirit: George di Giovanni (McGill University, Montreal).

12. Absolute Knowing: Allegra de Laurentiis (SUNY–Stony Brook, New York).

13. Spirit and Concrete Subjectivity in Hegel’s Phenomenology of Spirit: Marina F. Bykova (North Carolina State University).

General Bibliography.

Index of Names.

Subject Index.

Table of Concordances

Kenneth R. Westphal is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Kent. His books include : Hegel’s Epistemological Realism (1989), Hegel’s Epistemology: A Philosophical Introduction to the Phenomenology of Spirit (2003) and Kant’s Transcendental Proof of Realism (2004); he is the editor of Pragmatism, Reason and Norms (1998).

“This collection of essay is an invaluable guide to Hegel’s Phenomenology of Spirit for graduate students and Hegel Scholars.  As well as being a lucid and detailed commentary on the entire of the Phenomenology of 1807, it also offers original contributions, which on certain occasions challenge traditional interpretations or the received view.”  (Evangelia Sembou, The Owl of Minerva, 1 November 2012)

"This collection reunites the leading experts on Hegel′s philosophy who systematically address key issues in the notoriously difficult Phenomenology of Spirit. In every chapter the authors accompany the unfolding of Hegel′s argument and guide the reader through the intricacies of dialectical transitions." ( CHOICE, August 2009) "A very impressive collection of essays by some of the most acute readers working on Hegel today. ... The essays in this volume provide many accessible points of entry into Hegel′s thought. Scholars and teachers of Hegel′s most rewarding and perplexing work should be grateful." ( Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews, December 2009)