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GWF Hegel has long been considered one of the most influential and controversial thinkers of the nineteenth century, and his work continues to provoke debate in contemporary philosophy. This new book provides readers with an accessible introduction to Hegel’s thought, offering a lucid and highly readable account of his Phenomenology of Spirit , Science of Logic , Philosophy of Nature , Philosophy of History , and Philosophy of Right . It provides a cogent and careful analysis of Hegel’s main arguments, considers critical responses, evaluates competing interpretations, and assesses the legacy of Hegel’s work for philosophy in the present day.
In a comprehensive discussion of the major works, J.M Fritzman considers crucial questions of authorial intent raised by the Phenomenology of Spirit , and discusses Hegel’s conceptions of necessity and of philosophical method. In his presentation of Hegel’s Logic , Fritzman evaluates the claim that logic has no presuppositions and examines whether this endorses a foundationalist or coherentist epistemology. Fritzman goes on to scrutinize Hegel’s claims that history represents the progressive realization of human freedom, and details how Hegel believes that this is also expressed in art and religion.
This book serves as both an excellent introduction to Hegel’s wide-ranging philosophy for students, as well as an innovative critique which will contribute to ongoing debates in the field.
In a comprehensive discussion of the major works, J.M Fritzman considers crucial questions of authorial intent raised by the Phenomenology of Spirit , and discusses Hegel’s conceptions of necessity and of philosophical method. In his presentation of Hegel’s Logic , Fritzman evaluates the claim that logic has no presuppositions and examines whether this endorses a foundationalist or coherentist epistemology. Fritzman goes on to scrutinize Hegel’s claims that history represents the progressive realization of human freedom, and details how Hegel believes that this is also expressed in art and religion.
This book serves as both an excellent introduction to Hegel’s wide-ranging philosophy for students, as well as an innovative critique which will contribute to ongoing debates in the field.
- GenresPhilosophy
224 pages, Paperback
First published April 10, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 24, 2016
An easy-to-read overview of Hegel's philosophy, or more precisely how Hegel has been variously interpreted.
This is divided up, loosely speaking, into first two chapters on selected influences on Hegel, then six chapters on Hegel's work, and a concluding chapter. The six chapters on Hegel's works discuss: (1) the Phenomenology of Spirit, (2) the Science of Logic, (3) the Philosophy of Nature and Philosophy of Spirit taken together, (4) the Philosophy of Right, (5) the Philosophy of History, and (6) the Lectures on Philosophy and Religion.
Very light hearted and amusing, but without serious loss of clarity or precision.
Fritzman interprets Hegel's philosophy as one of reconciliation and "internal critique", in short. How various philosophies fail to "live up" to their own standards [hence the "internal critique"], and are succeeded by a school of thought to make up for the shortcomings of the earlier...only to fail themselves [another "internal critique"]. These competing schools are reconciled, only to fail to live up to its own standards, etc.
I must emphasize that Fritzman does an excellent job cutting down on the technical terminology, providing clear and easy-to-understand explanations of various Hegelian concepts. (This is something a ten year old could understand, it's that good.) Fritzman illustrates various points with references to literature, modern film, etc.
His last paragraphs illustrate the humor he drops into the book:
"We have come a long way together, dear readers. We have scaled the Himalayas of Hegel's thought. We have stood on Philosophy's roof. You could see your house from there. No surprise; you have made Philosophy your home! Your pateience, fortitude, and courage are deeply appreciated. You never grumbled or complained. Okay, maybe once or twice, but I didn't hear.
"And if, peradventure, you suspect that you already were able to read Hegel on your own and didn't need this book...well, then it served its purpose. Dorothy always had the power to go back to Kansas. Toto too? Toto too."
This is divided up, loosely speaking, into first two chapters on selected influences on Hegel, then six chapters on Hegel's work, and a concluding chapter. The six chapters on Hegel's works discuss: (1) the Phenomenology of Spirit, (2) the Science of Logic, (3) the Philosophy of Nature and Philosophy of Spirit taken together, (4) the Philosophy of Right, (5) the Philosophy of History, and (6) the Lectures on Philosophy and Religion.
Very light hearted and amusing, but without serious loss of clarity or precision.
Fritzman interprets Hegel's philosophy as one of reconciliation and "internal critique", in short. How various philosophies fail to "live up" to their own standards [hence the "internal critique"], and are succeeded by a school of thought to make up for the shortcomings of the earlier...only to fail themselves [another "internal critique"]. These competing schools are reconciled, only to fail to live up to its own standards, etc.
I must emphasize that Fritzman does an excellent job cutting down on the technical terminology, providing clear and easy-to-understand explanations of various Hegelian concepts. (This is something a ten year old could understand, it's that good.) Fritzman illustrates various points with references to literature, modern film, etc.
His last paragraphs illustrate the humor he drops into the book:
"We have come a long way together, dear readers. We have scaled the Himalayas of Hegel's thought. We have stood on Philosophy's roof. You could see your house from there. No surprise; you have made Philosophy your home! Your pateience, fortitude, and courage are deeply appreciated. You never grumbled or complained. Okay, maybe once or twice, but I didn't hear.
"And if, peradventure, you suspect that you already were able to read Hegel on your own and didn't need this book...well, then it served its purpose. Dorothy always had the power to go back to Kansas. Toto too? Toto too."
June 15, 2022
Full review soon!
April 17, 2025
I don't usually read 'introductory' books to authors I already know much about. I mean, it would be silly to do so right? If you already know an author reading an introductory work would be repeating that which you already know and bore you as a result.
However, this book came on my radar when I heard that the *only* criticism scholars have made on this book is that it is so easy to understand and clear it actually makes the readers unprepared to understand the dense prose of Hegel. This caught my attention, Hegel and his scholars aren't known to be easy to understand, especially not to anyone outside the space of Hegel scholarship. On that ground this book delivered immensely. I am being honest when I say that it was astounding to see everything Hegel thought to be explained in such plain English. If you are looking to get into Hegel and have never touched his work before, this is the book for you.
However, this book came on my radar when I heard that the *only* criticism scholars have made on this book is that it is so easy to understand and clear it actually makes the readers unprepared to understand the dense prose of Hegel. This caught my attention, Hegel and his scholars aren't known to be easy to understand, especially not to anyone outside the space of Hegel scholarship. On that ground this book delivered immensely. I am being honest when I say that it was astounding to see everything Hegel thought to be explained in such plain English. If you are looking to get into Hegel and have never touched his work before, this is the book for you.
June 28, 2022
Decent & simple introduction to hegel main ideas
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews