Spirit: Chapter Six of Hegel's Phenomenology of Spirit

by Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, Daniel E. Shannon (Editor)

This new annotated translation of Chapter Six of Hegel's Phenomenology of Spirit , the joint product of a group of scholars that included H. S. Harris, George di Giovanni, John W. Burbidge, and Kenneth Schmitz, represents an advance in accuracy and fluency on previous translations into English of this core chapter of the Phenomenology. Its notes and commentary offer both novice and scholar more guidance to this text than is available in any other translation, and it is thus well suited for use in survey courses.

Genres: Philosophy

288 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2001

About the author

Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770-1831) was a German philosopher and one of the founding figures of German Idealism. Influenced by Kant's transcendental idealism and Rousseau's politics, Hegel formulated an elaborate system of historical development of ethics, government, and religion through the dialectical unfolding of the Absolute. Hegel was one of the most well-known historicist philosopher, and his thought presaged continental philosophy, including postmodernism. His system was inverted into a materialist ideology by Karl Marx, originally a member of the Young Hegelian faction.

Reviews

[Nathan "N.R." Gaddis]

Unfortunately this excellent edition did not result in a translation of the entire Phenomenology. This translation should certainly usurp the merely-serviceable chapter six of Miller's translation.

Fortunately, however, Terry Pinkard has made available his new translation of the entire Phenomenology with parallel German text. Hopefully it will be printed on real paper before long, but meanwhile it is available here.

[jayden yau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was this contextually the hardest thing I’ve ever read? yes! But I think, (along with my lovely prof who has worked with one of these editors!?), despite Hegel’s insane difficulty, this translation is spectacular. The footnotes saved me every other page, and the commentary is so helpful for understanding Hegel’s allusions.

Translation aside, I do think that Hegel’s concept around spirit is actually very applicable and I appreciate the beef he has with all the philosophers, poets and historical individuals that he mentions

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comment:

This is an unusual 'collaborative' translation of Chapter Six of the Phenomenology. The translators, core members and collaborators, number 11(!) and include John Burbidge, George di Giovanni and H.S. Harris. Harris instigated this translation because he was unhappy with both the Baillie and Miller translation. One Daniel E. Shannon was responsible the introduction, notes and commentary. I am also pleased with the annoted bibliography of select works. I wish this last would become a common practice. As far as translation goes, much (but not all) of the problem could be mitigated by requiring the original to be on a page facing the translation. But the publishers would never stand for that!

[Jonathan]

None

[sinny · Rating 4 out of 5]

the most difficult read ive ever had

in a way it was very fun as well, being able to decipher what tf hegel is saying

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I took a class on Hegel's Phenomenology and Science of Logic, we substituted this translation for the original Miller translation of Chapter VI found in the text. While I was skeptical at first, and was reluctant to spend the extra money on this stand-alone piece, it paid off. This is a very fine translation. A lot of time and care has gone in to this new translation. It is much clearer and more accessible than the original. This, by no means, makes it easier. It is still a very challenging piece. However, important terms and concepts which are extremely significant are given their proper terminology. As opposed to the Miller translation, some important concepts are not given their proper terms. This can lead to a confused misunderstanding of the text. Thankfully, the original terms in their original and intended meaning is restored. While it is not necessary for a casual reading of Hegel (if that is possible), this work is highly recommended for those who really wish to penetrate Hegel's thought and understand precisely what it is he means.

Hegel is hands down one of the most - if not the most - misunderstood philosopher of all time. His writing is very obscure, bordering on the mystical and esoteric. The challenge of hermeneutics is to understand the relationship between our own epoch and the work being studied; and how it guides our interpretation. It is very easy to take things out of context, make associations between what is said and our own time, and not really taking the time to understand what it is that Hegel meant and was intending to say. This is a challenging task, as it requires you to understand Hegel's philosophy and method, and what it is, and where it is, he is trying to go. Moreover, it becomes easy to find a problematic passage and "fill in the blanks" with our own associations and ideas, which really puts one's understanding of a work in jeopardy. In part, it is due to the translation, but it is also due to having a poor teacher or not having a teacher at all. Really understanding Hegel requires a teacher - otherwise it will be incomprehensible. Lastly, I would not recommend seeing this text in monadological terms...it will only make sense in the context of the rest of Hegel's work...especially the first 5 preceding chapters. Just like the Philosophy of Right, if this work is picked up and expected to be understood without reference to his philosophy, then misinterpretation is inevitable.